Thank you for contacting me about Britain's hedgehog population.
The hedgehog is an extraordinary creature with a long and celebrated history in this country. Like you I am concerned to ensure that its future is similarly bright, so I would commend the efforts of my colleague, Oliver Colvile MP, who has campaigned tirelessly to arrest the recent decline in its numbers.
I am aware of Mr Colvile's petition to list the hedgehog as a protected species, but the Government has responded that this would not be appropriate because this status is best reserved for species that are often deliberately killed or injured by humans. I am pleased to note that the Environmental Secretary met with him and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society in a 'hedgehog summit' to discuss how best to look after their interests.
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