Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Housebuilder to roll out hedgehog ‘highways’
Each hedgehog hole will be marked with a special plaque so the highways do not get accidently blocked.

Initiative could help hedgehog populations recover

British housebuilder Bovis Homes is set to roll out hedgehog ‘highways’ in all of its existing developments as part of an industry-first campaign to protect hedgehogs and other endangered animals.

The developer has joined forces with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) with a commitment to introduce highways to all future sites ‘wherever possible’. It is hoped the move will allow hedgehogs to move freely between gardens and provide easy access to frogs, birds, insects and other small mammals.


“We are proud to be the first housebuilder aiming to roll-out hedgehog highways as standard across current locations and our new developments, to help one of the nation’s favourite animals roam freely at night between gardens,” commented Louise Macrae, regional marketing manager for Bovis Homes.


“As part of our new sustainability steering group, protecting hedgehogs and the environment is at the forefront of what we want to achieve and we are delighted to join forces with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and take the lead in the housebuilding industry.”


Bovis Homes is developing the highways - small holes placed at ground level in fencing and other barriers - to allow hedgehogs and other wildlife to connect and access other gardens. Each hole will be marked with a plaque, so they do not get accidently blocked, and customers will be given literature so they can understand how best to help hedgehogs.

“We are delighted that Bovis Homes is making this important pledge to help our dwindling population of hedgehogs,” commented Faye Vass, chief executive of BHPS. “Creating holes for hedgehogs in fences and walls is a simple step but it could have a huge impact on the amount of habitat available for hedgehogs following the development of a site.

“There are many small actions we can all take to help hedgehogs in our gardens and green spaces, and joined together those small actions can make a huge difference to a species under threat.”


Figures from the latest State of Britain's Hedgehogs report, published in 2019, show that urban hedgehog populations have fallen 30 per cent since the turn of the century, and rural numbers have fallen by 50 per cent.

Conservationists say that, if all new housing developments were built with wildlife in mind, they could play a vital role in the recovery of hedgehog populations.

To further support conservation work, Bovis Homes has donated £5,000 to the BHPS and has partnered with national project Hedgehog Street - a joint initiative between BHPS and People’s Trust for Endangered Species. It will also be installing hedgehog homes in green spaces to encourage hedgehogs to hibernate and raise their hoglets. 

Image (C) Bovis Homes.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.