The hogs are innocent! (maybe)

[Rob_D]

Bird numbers plunge despite £1m hedgehog exodus - Scotland on Sunday

Maybe we have been too quick to blame the hedgehogs in the Uists? They still don't belong there, but just maybe the money might have been better spent?

I find this issue tough because I know the machair on the Uists is very special, but I don't like to kill hogs without a really good reason.

[WildlifeWonders]

In my opinion, it was a bit of a waste of time, money and lives.
I'm not going to really make much of a comment, because I'm no expert, and besides, I like birds too. But I have to say, the numbers have still fell and yet they have killed many, many Hedgehogs.
I think more research into the matter should have been done.

[Ukwildlifeo]

I thought they had started to transport the hedgehogs off the island rather than killing them

[WildlifeWonders]

Well, if they have then that is much better than killing them.

[Blackbrook Eye]

In my limited experience, the decline of any species is rarely down to one factor alone, as an instance, some years ago, lapwings used to flock behind the plough in great numbers and this despite the fact that their eggs were collected by the thousand as a food delicacy, the banning of egg collection has not resulted in their return, but that is no excuse to allow the practice to continue. It is a proven fact that hedgehogs eat a great number of the eggs of ground nesting birds and the fact that some of the hedgehgs have been removed ( one way or another ) from vulnerable sites has not had an immediate effect in the bird numbers increasing should not mean that efforts to control their numbers should be abandoned. While not necessary the only reason for for the decline in those birds, hedgehogs are a significant contributing factor.

Keith

[Rob_D]

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

I thought they had started to transport the hedgehogs off the island rather than killing them

Originally the Uist Wader Project (SNH, RSPB and Scottish Executive) were culling all the hogs they caught. There were protests and Uist Hedgehog Rescue was formed to help translocation to the mainland. It seems that recently the UWP were handing over all hogs they caught to be translocated.

However, translocation of these hedgehogs does cost alot of money, and it isn't really helping conservation or biodiversity much. Uist Hedgehog Rescue :: Working together to rescue and relocate hedgehogs.. From the point of view of conservation, you'd be better to kill the hogs, humanely of course and use the translocation money elsewhere. But from the perspective of saving those individual hedgehogs, obviously most of them benefit; about 20% do die as a result of translocation. It does seem a little odd that so much effort is put into saving these hedgehogs, but none into translocating mink, rabbits or foxes that are causing problems elsewhere. Certainly there is one rule for hedgehogs and another for rats!

I'm really not sure of the rights and wrongs on this one. But in any case it's bad that wader numbers are declining in the Uists.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Population numbers fluctuate naturally anywayunder the influence of various factors. I for one think that the Hedgehogs should be removed, one way or another, as they will thrive on the eggs of the ground nesting waders and the problem on Uist will only be exacerbated over time.

Cheers,

Adam

[Jez]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Population numbers fluctuate naturally anywayunder the influence of various factors. I for one think that the Hedgehogs should be removed, one way or another, as they will thrive on the eggs of the ground nesting waders and the problem on Uist will only be exacerbated over time.

Cheers,

Adam

My thoughts excactly!

[WildlifeWonders]

Hmm. Yes, removed, but not killed. Both species are endangered- you can't kill one dying out creature to save another, which is also dying out too. I think they should be transported off elsewhere, rather than killed off, bearing in mind that Hedgehogs are also endangered. In my opinion.

[Rob_D]

Originally Posted by Blackbrook Eye

While not necessary the only reason for for the decline in those birds, hedgehogs are a significant contributing factor.

Keith

I think this is missing the point here.

Hedgehogs undoubtably take some eggs of ground nesting birds but perhaps the UWP over-estimated the effect of hedgehogs on breeding waders here. Yes, bird populations fluctuate for many reasons, but that doesn't explain why there was no real difference between S Uist and N Uist despite the hedgehogs near extinction in the north. This case strongly suggests that hogs are not currently having a significant effect on the ground nesting wading birds in the Uists.

OK, we should read the SNH report to be more sure of this, and one case study does not constitute certainty. But, at the very least it is strong evidence in their defence, and it means the verdict on the hogs should be "case not proven". That's not to say they shouldn't be removed from the islands, or that they don't have a minor effect on birds, but it seriously questions why they wanted to spend so much money doing it.

Beth, fortunately Hedgehogs are in no way endangered. That's no reason to kill them though.