Robotic lawnmowers used at night are devastating the lives of hundreds of hedgehogs, which has provoked the anger of conservationists and scientists. According to a study by the Leibniz Institute for Zoological and Wildlife Research, almost 50% of the 370 hedgehogs examined died or had to be euthanized after an unexpected encounter with a lawnmower. According to the study, hedgehogs are especially at risk from lawnmowers that operate at night, because that is when they come out to feed. The problem is that they are not used to fleeing when there is danger, but rather they rely on their defensive system — the spines — which obviously are no match against electronic lawnmowers. As a result the hedgehog population is steadily declining.

The scientists who conducted the study at the Leibniz Institute are consequentially calling for a ban on the use of lawnmowers at night, which would be a simple way to protect hedgehogs.

Source: www.izw-berlin.de/en/press-release/new-research-into-hedgehogs-injured-by-robotic-lawn-mowers-discovers-a-significant-but-solvable-animal-welfare-and-conservation-problem.html