The Citizen Science project Guardians of the Hedgehogs promotes active public participation. Volunteers collect data on the health of hedgehogs and their habitats, conduct small experiments, and visualize the collected data on an interactive map. A key goal is to train the public about research data and the One Health concept. Public events and informational materials encourage proper interaction with hedgehogs and the creation of hedgehog-friendly gardens. The project highlights the close connection between human, animal, and environmental health.
Guardians of the Hedgehogs Project Successfully Completes its First Counting Initiative
The Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS is tackling a surprising research topic: the health of hedgehogs. In collaboration with the Igelfreunde Bremen network, BIPS has launched the Citizen Science project Guardians of the Hedgehogs, which aims to protect these increasingly rare animals. However, the project is not entirely unrelated to human health.
Guardians of the Hedgehogs operates under the One Health framework—a concept that has gained significant attention due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis. This approach recognizes the deep interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health.
"One Health seeks to proactively address health challenges through an integrated perspective on these three areas, aiming to develop resilient systems against future health crises while ensuring the sustainability of natural resources. In short: A healthy environment for hedgehogs ultimately means a healthy environment for humans as well," explains Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Ahrens, Head of the Department of Epidemiological Methods and Etiological Research at BIPS, who is also actively involved in hedgehog protection on a voluntary basis.
Will hedgehogs disappear?
The problem: Hedgehog habitats are increasingly threatened by the displacement of native plants, insect decline, rising traffic, land sealing, increased use of pesticides, as well as robotic mowers and string trimmers. In Germany, the Wild Animal of the Year 2024 is now even on the warning list of endangered species. One of the oldest mammals on Earth, the hedgehog is quietly disappearing.
However, this trend can be counteracted, explains Ahrens: "To create a hedgehog-friendly environment in our gardens, we should take the following steps: make gardens accessible to hedgehogs—for example, by leaving small openings in fences—allow wild vegetation, create piles of deadwood, place hedgehog houses in undergrowth, and secure holes and pits carefully. It is also important to operate robotic mowers only during the day to avoid endangering these twilight-active animals. These measures not only help protect hedgehogs but also have the added benefit of allowing them to serve as natural pest controllers in our gardens."
Building Data Literacy
Guardians of the Hedgehogs is part of the larger DataNord project, which aims to enhance data literacy in the Bremen region and encourages researchers to collaborate across traditional disciplinary boundaries.
"The project brings together many important topics," explains Rasmus Cloes, who is responsible for knowledge transfer and communication at BIPS. "By actively involving citizens in research, we can strengthen public understanding and trust in scientific processes, improve data literacy among the population, and promote the core ideas of the One Health concept. These are crucial issues, especially when reflecting on our experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic. We are very grateful for the strong support of the Igelfreunde network in this initiative."
Major Counting Initiative in May 2024
The Citizen Science project Guardians of the Hedgehogs aims to count and protect the hedgehog population in the Bremen region. For this initiative, the project collaborates with the nationwide participation campaign Germany Seeks Hedgehogs & Moles, which takes place annually in May and September. The first event involving Guardians of the Hedgehogs received significant media attention, with coverage in Weser-Kurier, Buten un Binnen, and TAZ. However, the project goes beyond traditional hedgehog sightings to engage the public in data collection. It also seeks to raise awareness about nature-friendly garden and park design, promoting a healthier environment. The collected data is visualized on an interactive map of Bremen and its surroundings and made accessible through the expanded website of the local hedgehog network. In addition to counting, data on hedgehog health is also collected. Sick hedgehogs are cared for at rescue centers, which, together with the hedgehog network, are developing a standardized documentation form. Over a period of two years, comparable data will be gathered to support conservation efforts.
For more information on hedgehog conservation, visit the Igelfreunde network’s website.
BIPS – Health Research in the Service of the People
The well-being of the population is at the heart of our research. As an epidemiological research institute, our mission is to identify the causes of health disorders and develop new concepts for disease prevention. Our research provides a foundation for societal decision-making, informs the public about health risks, and contributes to a healthier living environment.
Cooperating in U Bremen Research Alliance:
