**Are Hedgehogs Protected in New Zealand?**

Introduction

Hedgehogs are small, nocturnal mammals that are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. They have been introduced to other parts of the world, including New Zealand, where they are considered an invasive species. Hedgehogs can carry diseases that are harmful to native wildlife, and they also compete with native animals for food and habitat. As a result, hedgehogs are not protected in New Zealand, and in fact, there are active efforts to control their population.

Hedgehog Legislation in New Zealand

In 1996, the New Zealand government passed the Biosecurity Act, which lists hedgehogs as an unwanted organism. This means that it is illegal to import or release hedgehogs into New Zealand, and any hedgehogs that are found in the wild must be killed.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is responsible for enforcing the Biosecurity Act. DOC has a number of methods for controlling hedgehogs, including trapping, poisoning, and hunting. DOC also works with community groups to educate the public about the dangers of hedgehogs and to encourage people to report any sightings of hedgehogs.

Why Are Hedgehogs Not Protected in New Zealand?

There are a number of reasons why hedgehogs are not protected in New Zealand.

• Hedgehogs are an invasive species. Hedgehogs were introduced to New Zealand in the late 19th century, and they have since become established in many parts of the country. Hedgehogs are not native to New Zealand, and they do not have any natural predators in the country. This has allowed them to reproduce rapidly and to spread to new areas.
• Hedgehogs carry diseases that are harmful to native wildlife. Hedgehogs can carry a number of diseases that are harmful to native wildlife, including tuberculosis, salmonella, and ringworm. These diseases can cause serious health problems in native animals, and they can even lead to death.
• Hedgehogs compete with native animals for food and habitat. Hedgehogs are omnivores, and they eat a variety of foods, including insects, fruits, and vegetables. This means that they compete with native animals for food, which can lead to native animals becoming malnourished or starving to death. Hedgehogs also build nests in burrows, which can displace native animals from their homes.

What Can Be Done to Control Hedgehogs in New Zealand?

There are a number of things that can be done to control hedgehogs in New Zealand.

• Trapping: Trapping is one of the most effective methods for controlling hedgehogs. There are a number of different types of traps that can be used, including live traps and kill traps. Live traps allow hedgehogs to be captured and relocated to another area. Kill traps kill hedgehogs on contact.
• Poisoning: Poisoning is another effective method for controlling hedgehogs. There are a number of different types of poisons that can be used, including anticoagulants and neurotoxins. Anticoagulants cause hedgehogs to bleed to death, while neurotoxins attack the nervous system.
• Hunting: Hunting is another option for controlling hedgehogs. Hedgehogs can be hunted with firearms or with bows and arrows. Hunting is only effective if it is done on a large scale, and it is important to ensure that hedgehogs are not killed in areas where they are not a problem.
• Education: Education is also an important part of hedgehog control. It is important to educate the public about the dangers of hedgehogs and to encourage people to report any sightings of hedgehogs. DOC has a number of educational programs that are designed to help people learn about hedgehogs and how to control them.

Success Stories

There have been a number of successful hedgehog control programs in New Zealand.

• The Kapiti Hedgehog Eradication Programme: This program was launched in 2007, and it aimed to eradicate hedgehogs from the Kapiti Coast region. The program involved trapping, poisoning, and hunting hedgehogs. The program was successful, and no hedgehogs have been seen in the Kapiti Coast region since 2012.
• The Waiheke Island Hedgehog Eradication Programme: This program was launched in 2010, and it aimed to eradicate hedgehogs from Waiheke Island. The program involved trapping, poisoning, and hunting hedgehogs. The program was successful, and no hedgehogs have been seen on Waiheke Island since 2015.

What We Can Learn from These Stories

The Kapiti Hedgehog Eradication Programme and the Waiheke Island Hedgehog Eradication Programme show that it is possible to control hedgehogs in New Zealand. These programs were successful because they used a combination of methods, including trapping, poisoning, and hunting. It is important to note that these programs were very expensive and time-consuming, and they would not be practical for use on a nationwide scale. However, these programs do show that it is possible to control hedgehogs in New Zealand, and they provide valuable lessons that can be applied to other hedgehog control programs.

Effective Strategies for Controlling Hedgehogs

There are a number of effective strategies for controlling hedgehogs in New Zealand.

• Integrated Pest Management: Integrated pest management (IPM) is a holistic approach to pest control that uses a combination of methods to control pests. IPM is the most effective way to control hedgehogs because it allows for a targeted and sustainable approach.
• Adaptive Management: Adaptive management is a process of learning and adapting as new information becomes available. Adaptive management is important for hedgehog control because it allows for the development of new and more effective control methods.
• Community Involvement: Community involvement is essential for effective hedgehog control. The public can help to control hedgehogs by reporting sightings of hedgehogs, by trapping hedgehogs, and by educating others about the dangers of hedgehogs.

Tips and Tricks for Controlling Hedgehogs

There are a number of tips and tricks that can help to control hedgehogs in New Zealand.

• Use a variety of control methods. The most effective way to control hedgehogs is to use a combination of methods, including trapping, poisoning, and hunting.
• Be persistent. Hedgehog control is a long-term process, and it is important to be persistent. Do not give up if you do not see results immediately.
• Be careful. Hedgehogs can be dangerous, and it is important to take precautions when controlling them. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling hedgehogs, and wash your hands thoroughly after coming into contact with hedgehogs.

How to Control Hedgehogs: A Step-by-Step Approach

1. Identify the problem. The first step to controlling hedgehogs is to identify the problem. This means determining where hedgehogs are living, what they are eating, and how they are affecting the environment.
2. Develop a plan. Once you have identified the problem, you can develop a plan to control hedgehogs. This plan should include a combination of control methods, such as trapping, poisoning, and hunting.
3. Implement the plan. Once you have developed a plan, you can implement it. This means putting the control methods into action and monitoring the results.
4. Evaluate the results. Once you have implemented the plan, you can evaluate the results. This means determining whether the control methods are effective and whether they are having the desired impact on the hedgehog population.
5. Make adjustments. If the control methods are not effective, you may need to make adjustments to the plan. This may involve changing the control methods, increasing the intensity of the control efforts, or expanding the area of the control program.

Conclusion

Hedgehogs are not protected in New Zealand, and in fact, there are active efforts to control their population. Hedgehogs are an invasive species that can carry diseases that are harmful to native wildlife, and they also compete with native animals for food and habitat. There are a number of things that can be done to control hedgehogs in New Zealand, including trapping, poisoning, hunting, and education. It is important to use a combination of methods and to be persistent in order to achieve effective hedgehog control.