A PASSIONATE wildlife-lover is encouraging residents across the district to do their bit for hedgehogs.
Parm Asberg-Gill, who lives in Leamington, has recently signed up as a local ‘Hedgehog Champion’ through a national hedgehog conservation group called Hedgehog Street.
Parm told The Observer she adores hedgehogs and has been feeding them in her garden for seven years but she, like many hedgehog fans, is extremely anxious about their decline.
Hedgehogs are now listed as vulnerable to extinction and Parm is hoping they will gain legal protection in the same way as bats.
In the meantime she is trying to raise local awareness about hedgehogs and is calling on residents to join in and make gardens, parks and green areas as hedgehog friendly as possible.
This includes making hedgehog holes in fences, reporting sightings on the Hedgehog Street map and leaving wild areas in gardens.
Parm has been leaflet dropping in her local area and is hoping to set up a meeting for residents who want to help the hogs.
She continued: “I’ve been helping hogs for about seven years. I’ve had several ‘homeless’ hedgehogs released into my garden. But, obviously my garden is in no way enough . I’m very keen for others to get involved too. People in the neighbourhood are initially hesitant but very friendly and supportive of hogs and some want to get involved.
“I truly believe that acting together we can save these beautiful creatures from extinction.
“My dream is for all gardens to be hedgehog friendly and, where possible, to be connected through ‘hedgehog highways’ – literally a 13cm by 13 cm hole. My ultimate dream and aim is for as many neighbours to work together in Leamington and Warwick, and beyond, to help hogs survive and hopefully grow in numbers.”
Visit www.hedgehogstreet.org/help-hedgehogs/ for more information on how to get started.
