Outcomes, Mortality Causes, and Pathological Findings in European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europeus, Linnaeus 1758): A Seventeen Year Retrospective Analysis in the North of Portugal.

Andreia Garcês,Roberto Sargo,Filipe Silva,Luís Sousa,Vanessa Soeiro,Sara Lóio,Isabel Pires

doi:10.3390/ani10081305

Andreia Garcês, Roberto Sargo + Show 5 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10081305

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Abstract

Simple SummaryThe Western European hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus (Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the most common mammals in urban areas. We collected data over 17 years (2002–2019) regarding outcomes and causes of mortality on this species from two of the main wildlife rehabilitation centers in the north of Portugal. A total of 740 animals were admitted; the majority were juveniles, with the highest admission rate occurring during summer (36.8%). The main cause of admission was debilitation (30.7%). Of the total number of individuals admitted to these centers, 66.6% were released successfully. The main cause of death was trauma of unknown origin (32.7%).This study aimed to analyze the admission causes, outcomes, primary causes of death, and main lesions observed in the post mortem examinations of Western European hedgehogs, Erinaceus europaeus (Linnaeus, 1758), in the north of Portugal. The data were obtained by consulting the records from the two main wildlife rehabilitation centers located in the north of Portugal (Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre of Parque Biologico de Gaia and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro). Over 17 years (2002–2019) a total of 740 animals were admitted. Most of the animals were juveniles, with the highest number of admissions occurring during summer (36.8%) and spring (33.2%). The main reasons for admission were debilitation (30.7%) and random finds (28.4%). Of the total number of individuals admitted to these centers, 66.6% were successfully released back into the wild. The most relevant causes of death were trauma of unknown origin (32.7%), nontrauma causes of unknown origin (26.6%), and nutritional disorders (20.2%). The main lesions observed were related to trauma, including skeletal and skin lesions (fractures, hemorrhages, wounds) and organ damage, particularly to the lungs and liver. The hedgehog is a highly resilient and adaptable animal. The urban environment has many benefits for hedgehogs, yet the presence of humans can be harmful. In the future, the public needs to become even more involved in the activities of the wildlife centres, which will make a positive difference for these populations.

Highlights

The Western European hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus (Linnaeus, 1758), is a generalist nocturnal mammal, widely distributed across the European continent [1,2,3]
The main purpose of this study was to collect data from hedgehog admittance records from the two major wildlife rehabilitation centers located in the north of Portugal, describing admission causes, outcomes, primary causes of death, and main lesions observed in the post mortem exams
Regarding the outcomes of the animals admitted to the two WRCs, 66.6% were released back to the wild, following the results described by Martinez et al (2014) [5], with 69% of the admitted hedgehogs returned to the wild

Summary

Introduction

The Western European hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus (Linnaeus, 1758), is a generalist nocturnal mammal, widely distributed across the European continent [1,2,3]. Its diet consists mainly of macroinvertebrates, due to their great trophic adaptation potential, they can be generalist feeders [1,5]. This species has been classified as Least Concern (LC) in Portugal, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Animals [6]. Agricultural intensification, habitat fragmentation, road traffic accidents, molluscicide and rodenticide poisoning, and predation (e.g., by foxes, badgers, dogs) have been suggested amongst the major causes of this decline [5,7,8,9]

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