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Hedgehog Street launches new app ahead of National Hedgehog Day
The new app allows users to record the location of wild hedgehogs in their area.

Campaign offers tips and advice for wildlife enthusiasts

A new app has been launched by Hedgehog Street, a national campaign ran by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) and the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), to help bolster declining hedgehog populations.

Users will receive monthly advice and FAQs and can record sightings of wild hedgehogs, helping conservationists to understand where populations need help.

Hedgehog officer for the campaign, Grace Johnson explains: “We know hedgehogs are in trouble – we’ve lost 50 per cent of hedgehogs in rural areas since 2000, which is a staggering amount. But, there are ways that we can all help. Our monthly top tips [range] from leaving a shallow bowl of water out for thirsty ‘hogs in the summer, to providing nesting materials and supplementary food before hedgehogs hunker-down for hibernation.”

The ‘Hedgehog Street’ app is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. It launches ahead of National Hedgehog Day, celebrated on Sunday 2 February 2020.

 

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.