Hedgehog should be a symbol for Britain, MP says
Mr Colvile is calling on housing developers to create holes in fences to make it easier for hedgehogs to travel between gardens.
The hedgehog should become a national symbol for the UK, Oliver Colvile MP has said.
Mr Colvile, Conservative MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, plans to launch a petition to award the animal national status, like the kangaroo in Australia or the bald eagle in the US.
Britain's hedgehog population is said to have fallen from 30 million to less than a million in the past 60 years. Mr Colvile hopes that granting the species national status will raise its profile and encourage people to protect it.
During a debate in the House of Commons this week, the Tory backbencher called on ministers to encourage housing developers to consider hedgehogs when they build new homes.
"What we need to do is get holes created [in fences]," he told The Times. "The government needs to make it as easy as possible for hedgehogs to move between gardens to get more room…
"The creation of specialist habitats when building new housing developments would certainly help in making a statement of intent and would, I hope, begin to boost the population of this beloved animal."
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
