Hedgehogs get road sign

The proposed road signs will warn motorists of hedgehogs likely crossing the road in areas where this species is known to be common. The  Pembroke local council has already set up similar signs warning motorists of the dangers posed to hedgehogs.

The 2005 State of the Environment Report documents the status of the Algerian hedgehog as ‘seemingly stable, but requiring the impact of road kills to be assessed more in detail.’

The extent of impact of road kills on local hedgehog populations is not known; however this threat – coupled with habitat fragmentation, disturbance and destruction, indiscriminate pesticide use, and the illegal capture for keeping as pets – may have a significant impact on the conservation status of the species.

The only native hedgehog living in Malta is the Algerian (or ‘vagrant’) hedgehog, which was probably introduced from North Africa by the Romans. Apart from Malta, it also occurs in the northwest of Africa, in Spain and in a number of islands.

The species of hedgehog that inhabits Malta and Gozo is different from other hedgehogs found in Europe, in that it has longer limbs and ears, and a wider forehead.

Locally, it hibernates only on very cold days as opposed to hibernating throughout the winter period in other countries.

The hedgehog rolls up into a ball, revealing its spikes when faced with danger, which include cats and strong lights emitted by cars in the road. Although the spikes of hedgehogs may deter predators, the defensive posture does not help it survive from being run by cars.

Another measure contemplated in the dossier is the relocation of feral cats from semi-natural areas known to harbour important populations of local shrews and other threatened mammals.

As regards bats, the document proposes to restrict access to important bat sites.

All Maltese bats are threatened as a result of modification, disturbance and loss of roosts. One notable case involved development near Għar il-Friefet, which included the construction of dwellings near to and above the entrance of the cave, as well as construction of roads servicing such dwellings, directly above the cave’s nursery.  Episodes of bat collecting and killing have also been documented.

Apart from safeguarding existing caves, one short-term solution which is being considered, is the installation of bat roosting boxes to substitute lost habitat sites. The needs of bats are also to be considered in restoration projects in old buildings.

Bat colonies are also disturbed by people visiting caves.

The dossier also proposes measures to protect the endangered fresh water crab through safeguarding its habitats, which include the Bahrija and Xlendi valleys.

This includes limiting the use of pesticides in these water bodies, levels of pesticides in water bodies known to be important for extant populations of the freshwater crab and consulting with farmers to find the best timing when to plough fields to avoid incidental killing of the crab by plough machines.

Significantly, the endangered blue fin tuna is also included in the species identified in the dossier as requiring enhanced conservation action.

According to the document, the species is suffering due to high levels of exploitation. The swordfish is also included in the list due capture of juveniles, which result in the depletion of stocks.

Shell collectors and the illegal trade in souvenirs are also identified as a threat for a number of mollusks.