The Northern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus) is the Mammal of the Year 2014

 

The Hungarian Ministry of Rural Development’s VADONLESŐ Programme has declared the Northern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus roumanicus) as the Mammal of the Year 2014. The Northern white-breasted hedgehog is the only indigenous species of hedgehog in Hungary.

 

The Vadonleső Programme was launched in 2009 with the goal of bringing attention to and helping protect endangered mammals native to Hungary. In recent years, the hedgehog has become the most popular mammal in the country - at least according to visitors of the programme’s webpage. More than 1700 pieces have data have been added to Hungary’s “Hedgehog Map.” This information will be interpreted and utilised in efforts to avoid the animals being run over by cars when the young are most active during the spring and late summer courting season.

 

Elements of the programme include the construction of “Hedgehog-Friendly Gardens” in residential areas, safe relocation of hedgehogs, regional and national story and comic book writing contests, and integration of the subject into on-going environmental education lessons.

 

Sponsors and participating organisations include the Hungarian Ministry of Rural Development, the national park directorates, the Hungarian Natural History Museum, the Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society’s  Mammal Conservation Division, and the Hungarian Mammal Science Society.

 

The fine for injuring or killing the protected Northern white-breasted hedgehog is 25000 HUF (80 Euro).

 

For more information, please see:

www.vadonleso.hu

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