In order to get a more accurate picture of the hedgehog population in Valais, the Service for Forests, Nature and Landscape (DWNL) is continuing the "Hedgehog wanted" project, which was launched in 2020 with the "Wild Neighbors Valais" observation platform. Volunteers are needed in the municipalities of Saint-Maurice, Vétroz, Sierre, Gampel and Steg-Hohtenn for the hedgehog census, which will also extend to the municipalities of Leytron and Chamoson.

The task of the volunteers is to set up ten track tunnels in a specific area and check them on six consecutive days. The tunnels, which are about one meter long and made of laminated cardboard, are lined with strips of paint and sheets of paper. When a hedgehog runs through a tunnel, it leaves its paw prints there and can thus be detected.

Anyone who would like to find out more about the project and volunteer can visit the website wallis.wildenachbarn.ch.

The public is also asked to report hedgehog sightings on this platform, where all the information needed to promote this insectivore can also be found.

Studies in several Swiss agglomerations have shown that hedgehog populations have declined significantly over the last 20 years. The situation of this species in Valais is only known selectively, based on the censuses carried out in 2020 and 2022.

For further information:

Lisa Wirthner, biologist and project manager "Wild Neighbors Valais", tel. 079 359 28 56, lisa.wirthner@wildenachbarn.ch (German)