Hedgehogs thrive but bunnies dive

Grey squirrels and hedgehogs are thriving – but rabbits are in trouble, according to the results from the annual survey of the UK’s wild mammals, run by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species. Foxes, wood mice and bats were also among the most commonly spotted mammals: but more people saw badgers than rabbits last year. Populations of rabbits have now fallen by about two-thirds in 10 years, but “as yet no one has identified the reasons why,” says survey co-ordinator David Wembridge.

GW’s Wildlife Editor Kate Bradbury finds it heartening that hedgehogs are the second most seen mammal: “It does seem that efforts to help hogs are working, at least in suburban areas.” This year’s Living with Mammals Survey starts this month: join in at livingwithmammals.ptes.org