Conservationists and scientists in Germany are advocating for a ban on nighttime robot mowers to protect hedgehogs. A study from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research revealed that nearly half of the hedgehogs examined after being cut by these mowers died or had to be euthanized.
Robot mowers pose a significant threat to hedgehogs, especially at night when the animals are active. Hedgehogs rely on their spines for defense, which are no match for the sharp blades of the machines. The use of robot mowers has increased in recent years due to their quiet operation, leading to a rise in hedgehog injuries and deaths.
Impacts on Biodiversity
The conservation group BUND is calling for a ban on nighttime mowing as a minimum requirement, with some municipalities already implementing restrictions. Robot mowers, incapable of discerning what not to mow, pose a threat to biodiversity by eliminating crucial food sources for wild bees, butterflies, and beetles.
Experts recommend prohibiting nighttime robotic mowing as a crucial step to safeguard hedgehogs and prevent further declines in their population. With hedgehogs already on the “Red List” of endangered species in Germany, urgent action is needed to protect these beloved creatures.
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