The City of Chemnitz Environmental Agency is calling on everyone in Chemnitz to observe hedgehogs until the end of September 2026 and to report this in the participation portal under Chemnitz is looking for hedgehogs. The background to this is that fewer and fewer native hedgehogs are being recorded. In order to recognise the causes of the decline and to improve protection initiatives for hedgehogs, it is necessary to record the hedgehog population in Chemnitz over the course of a year. The more reports received, the better the overview.
Hedgehogs live in the immediate neighbourhood, but the animals are observed less and less frequently. On the one hand, this is due to their crepuscular and nocturnal lifestyle. On the other hand, hedgehog populations have declined sharply throughout Europe. On the international Red List updated in 2024, the hedgehog is categorised as "potentially endangered" for the first time.
There are many reasons for the decline of the hedgehog. In addition to the danger posed by road traffic, one of the most important reasons is the lack of insects as their main food source. However, the loss of habitat due to a lack of hiding places and overly intensive garden maintenance as well as the use of robotic lawnmowers at night are also leading to the decline of hedgehogs.
The city of Chemnitz has therefore already restricted the use of robotic lawnmowers at night. The general decree_Nightly_Mowing_Prohibition has been in force since 12 June 2025.
Biodiversity in the garden
The home garden is not only a recreational area for people, it can also make a decisive contribution to preserving biodiversity. The following points can be observed in your own garden to protect hedgehogs and other small animals:
- proceed carefully and cautiously when gardening,
- Avoiding the use of chemicals and pesticides,
- Create refuges by not removing leaves, dead wood and brushwood piles or by deliberately creating them,
- planting native plants and shrubs,
- creating flowering meadows or leaving part of the meadow standing when mowing.
With a conscious approach, you can look after your own garden and provide a habitat for native wildlife at the same time.
More information on a hedgehog-friendly garden can be found at Stadt Chemnitz_Igelschutz.