"Hedgehogs and Mole Census Initiated by Nabu Action"

Nation urges nature enthusiasts to participate in a widespread effort to monitor and document sightings of hedgehogs and moles, with results being submitted digitally.

, and Administrator

2025 September 27 . 10:23 AM

2 min read

Hedgehog and Mole Census Tally: Nabu Action Initiative

"Hedgehogs and Mole Census Initiated by Nabu Action"

In various parts of Germany, conservation efforts are underway to protect and study local wildlife. The Nature Conservation Union (Nabu) has announced a nationwide action to count hedgehogs and molehills from September 18, 2025, to September 29, 2025. This initiative aims to create a more accurate picture of the wildlife population in Germany.

Reports of any encounters, whether live or run-over hedgehogs, are valuable for the study. These can be submitted online at the website nabu-naturgucker.de. The data collected will be used in a study by the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research to investigate factors that increase the risk of hedgehogs being hit by cars. The study will analyse factors such as the width of roads, proximity to green spaces, or 30 km/h zones.

Two innovative students from Stendal, Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, have developed an invention to protect hedgehogs from lawn robots. Their solution scored points at "Jugend forscht", but the details of their invention remain undisclosed. Meanwhile, the city of Halle has implemented a nighttime lawnmower ban to protect hedgehogs and small animals.

Elks, once rare in Germany, are becoming more common. They have been spotted in gardens, and an expert has explained why this is happening and what to do if you spot one. On a positive note, a seal has been spotted in the Elbe in recent days, also in Saxony-Anhalt, and Nabu reports that the animal is doing well and is expected to find its own way back.

In Magdeburg, an online register records the locations of nests for endangered birds like swifts to aid in their protection. A breeding monitor helps not only the animals but also endangered birds like swifts. However, swifts are not welcome everywhere due to disputes over nesting sites.

Wildlife is not limited to these encounters. In Halle, more and more wild animals like nutria, raccoons, and foxes are coming to find food, causing problems. In the Harz, Altmark, and Goitzsche regions of Saxony-Anhalt, wildcats have been spotted. The population of wildcats in the region is increasing, and their habitats have been identified with wooden stakes and valerian.

These initiatives and inventions highlight the ongoing efforts to conserve and protect wildlife in Germany. As these efforts continue, we can expect to see more innovative solutions and conservation efforts in the future.