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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
- Close
- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
- Close
- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
- Close
- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
- Close
- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
- Close
- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

Home // International Women’s Day 2020: Abi Gazzard

International Women’s Day 2020: Abi Gazzard

Evidence-based conservation for urban hedgehogs

Understanding how hedgehogs behave in our towns and cities is essential in order for us to create successful conservation strategies. Abi has been studying how hedgehogs use our urban gardens and green spaces.

How did you come to lead your conservation team?

I am working on a PhD part-funded by PTES, researching urban hedgehog ecology. I carried out my MSc research project on hedgehogs with my current PhD supervisor, took a short break working for a journal, and then came back for the PhD.

What has been your biggest challenge so far?

Balancing my time between research, work and life, since I am undertaking my PhD on a part-time basis. This has been really rewarding in some ways but difficult in others. I am also about to become a mother, which I’m sure will present some new challenges!

What has been your biggest achievement in the field in the past year?

Continuing my hedgehog surveys in Reading – for the fourth year running – whilst leading another hedgehog project in Oxford, holding down a job, and being pregnant! I have now collected hundreds of records of Reading ‘hogs and it’s always nice to ‘meet’ the same hedgehog again a year or two later. Hopefully this data will tell us more about hedgehog population ecology in urban areas.

What would you say to aspiring women who want a future in conservation?

If you are particularly interested in a specific taxa or area of conservation, then don’t be afraid to contact workers, researchers, or academics who are active in that field. You never know, they may have advice or even an opportunity for you.

View Abi’s project

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