The study will be led by the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme
In a report by The Guardian, it is known that “Artificial Intelligence will be used for the first time to track hedgehog populations as part of a pioneering project aimed at understanding how many of them are left in the UK and why they have suffered a decline.”
You can read the full story here
How was AI used to track Hedgehogs?
The images captured by the cameras will be filtered with the use of AI, which can differentiate between wildlife and humans. After this, the images will be sent to human “spotters”, who will pick out the animals and send them to analysts.
Dr Henrietta Pringle, the NHMP Coordinator at PTES, said: “For the first time in the history of hedgehog conservation we’re using AI to open up new opportunities, which is extremely exciting. Previous studies have estimated hedgehog populations, but there has never been a rigorous nationwide survey of them – until now.
“We know hedgehogs are struggling – especially in the countryside – but before we can put practical conservation measures in place we need to understand where they are and why they’re declining.
The National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme (NHMP) hopes to use the data collected to “produce estimates of hedgehog populations in different habitats across the country, show how these are changing year on year, and – in time – give a national estimate of the UK’s hedgehog population.”, according to The Guardian
The project is in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University, ZSL’s London HogWatch, Durham University and MammalWeb, and largely funded by Natural England.
Fay Vass, the Chief Executive of the BHPS, said: “Everyone loves hedgehogs, but we recognise that not everyone is in a position to help them in the wild. Becoming a ‘spotter’ for the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme is a fantastic way for everyone to get involved. Now, those with mobility issues, who don’t have a garden or perhaps are away studying at university or college, can help from the comfort of home.
“Helping hedgehogs has never been easier or more accessible, so we really hope people from all walks of life take part.”
In 2025, sustainability is more than a buzzword, for UK organisations, it’s becoming integral to brand reputation, regulation, and cost control. And one of
In just 15 days, Microsoft will begin its formal switch to Windows 11 for eligible devices. Whether you’re managing a team of employees, running
The UK’s traditional phone network, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN Switch-Off), is being retired. By January 2027, it will be permanently switched off.
Ransomware remains the UK’s most serious cyber threat. In July 2025, the Home Office set out proposals to ban ransom payments for public-sector bodies
The UK’s data protection rules are changing again Post-Brexit. With the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (DUAA) now law, businesses face new obligations
Why Now? Windows 10 is approaching End of Life Microsoft will retire Windows 10 on 14 October 2025, ending free security and feature updates. The
Why should technology leaders care about energy legislation? The UK’s journey toward energy independence and net zero is now inseparable from the nation’s digital
In July 2025, the UK government unveiled a ground-breaking package of measures aimed at disrupting the ransomware economy and protecting vital services. These moves
For all businesses, agility and innovation are essential for staying competitive. But what happens when employees act faster than your IT policy can keep
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries by improving efficiency and decision-making. However, cybercriminals are also harnessing AI to create more sophisticated and targeted cyber
