Veterinarska stanica, Vol. 56 No. 3, 2025.
Review article
https://doi.org/10.46419/vs.56.3.2
Causes of admission and mortality in European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus, Linnaeus, 1758) – a review
Andreia Garcês
orcid.org/0000-0001-7940-3141
; Exotic and Wildlife Service at the University of Tras-os-Montes and Alto Douro; Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CECAV, University of Tras-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
*
Isabel Pires
; CECAV, University of Tras-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Erinaceus europaeus, a key indicator species for health ecosystems, faces various threats that impact the survival of the species. Most factors of threat are associated with human activity. The authors present a review of E. europaeus admission causes in wildlife rehabilitation centres and the mortality pattern of free-ranging animals. The review includes 20 papers spanning a considerable timespan from 1981 to 2024. The main causes of admission to wildlife rehabilitation centres are hoglets and starvation. The main causes of death in hedgehogs are vehicle collision and predation. It can be concluded that humans and human activity play a significant role in the mortality of these animals. In the future, a more standardised analysis of hedgehog carcasses is necessary to understand their threats and diseases and to design significant measures to protect the species.
Keywords
Erinaceus europaeus; mortality; roadkill; disease; endangered
Hrčak ID:
320045
URI
Publication date:
3.11.2024.
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