Nighttime perils for hedgehogs: Mowing robots pose a lethal threat - Robots Mowing Down Eels, Particularly at Nighttime
Lawn Maintenance and Hedgehog Safety: A Growing Concern with Mowing Robots
In an unexpected turn of events, the resurgence of lawn mowing robots has raised concerns for the safety of hedgehogs. These nocturnal creatures, despite their instinct to avoid peril, tend to curl up instead when they encounter these devices, leading to an alarming increase in injured hedgehogs.
As explained by Julia Stubenbord, the animal protection officer in Baden-Württemberg, this is a significant issue that demands attention. Experts from organizations such as the German Federal Environmental Agency (BUND) and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) have long advocated for a ban on nighttime operation of mowing robots, a measure that some cities like Cologne, Mainz, and soon Erfurt have already implemented.
Unfortunately, much of the suffering inflicted on these creatures goes unnoticed. Last year, collaborative reports from the Leibniz-IZW and hedgehog rescue stations revealed that 370 hedgehogs with cut injuries were reported nationwide from June 2022 to October 2023. Nearly half did not survive. Moreover, it's believed that the number of unreported injured or deceased animals is considerable, as hedgehogs, if able, often retreat to the safety of hedges and bushes after being run over.
Anne Berger from Leibniz-IZW noted that at least 60% of hedgehogs with cut injuries were found days or even weeks after the accident, indicating extended periods of suffering for these animals. As Berger aptly stated, "Such animal suffering is legally prohibited if alternatives exist that do not cause animal suffering."
The declining hedgehog population is not solely attributable to robotic lawn mowers. Modern agricultural practices and tidy gardens offer inadequate habitats for hedgehogs, contributing to their dwindling numbers. Many are also killed or struggle to find food due to the rapid decline in insects.
In Germany, the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is on the pre-listing of the red list and is classified as "potentially threatened" on the IUCN's international red list.
Manufacturers like Stihl acknowledge the risk posed by mowing robots to hedgehogs. They have taken steps to reduce this risk in their current models, such as excluding nighttime activation from pre-set mowing plans. However, users who manually enable nighttime activation via the mowing robot app receive a warning about the potential harm to small animals.
Environmental organizations, such as BUND, advise questioning the necessity of a mowing robot. Forgoing it, they argue, benefits not only hedgehogs but also insects, amphibians, and other wildlife. Allowing the lawn to grow higher and bloom is a boon for biodiversity.
While there are currently no specific regulations exclusively targeting nighttime operation of lawn mowing robots for hedgehog protection, using advanced detection technologies and adjusting mowing schedules can help minimize harm to wildlife. It's crucial to abide by local noise ordinances and consider the timing of hedgehog activity when scheduling lawn maintenance.
The community is urged to reconsider using lawn mowing robots at night, as this practice poses a significant risk to the safety of hedgehogs, a nocturnal species. This issue is of concern not only to local animal protection officers but also experts in environmental science, such as the German Federal Environmental Agency (BUND) and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW). To mitigate this problem, some cities have implemented a ban on nighttime operation of mowing robots, and scientists advocate for similar measures to protect hedgehogs. It's essential for manufacturers to incorporate advanced detection technologies into their robots to minimize harm to wildlife, and for users to consider the timing of lawn maintenance and abide by local noise ordinances.
