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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.

One donation, twice the impact. From the 18th – 25th April your donation to protect ancient woodland will be doubled through the Big Give.

Home // Research grants // Our internship projects // Surveying for London’s hedgehog hotspots

Surveying for London’s hedgehog hotspots

Hedgehogs have always been an important part of our biodiversity, both in the countryside and in urban areas. But sadly their numbers have been declining rapidly in recent decades. This decline seems to be less severe in urban areas, indicating the importance of these populations for the long-term survival of the species in the UK. Hedgehogs are found in several areas across Greater London. Their distribution is patchy but we’re aware of hedgehog hotspots. The outlook for London’s hedgehogs is uncertain as we know little about these remaining populations. To ensure we don’t lose hedgehogs from any other areas in our capital we need greater knowledge about where they are and what numbers are left.

Hedgehog hotspots in the capital

PTES is pleased to be supporting intern Kate Scott-Gatty as she takes on the mantle of Rachel Cates. Rachel carried out previous camera trap surveys funded by PTES. They revealed a mixed picture for hedgehog hotspots in Greater London. In 2018, high numbers were counted in Hampstead Heath, identifying it as a hedgehog hotspot. The 2019 surveys across three South East London parks (Dulwich, Peckham Rye and Russia Dock) sadly only resulted in a single hedgehog sighting between them.

The next steps

Kate plans to expand on Rachel’s findings. One of her study sites is Barnes, south west London, which was also identified as a potential London hedgehog hotspot. We know their distribution is patchy here. They were only found in two of the five green spaces surveyed, WWT London Wetlands and Barnes Common. If these areas aren’t large enough to support a viable population of hedgehogs it’s important to identify whether they can disperse into surrounding green spaces.

It’s important to survey new areas to continue to piece together the picture of London hedgehog populations. This year, new areas in Barnes will be surveyed including residential gardens. They’ll assess whether the locations where hedgehogs are present are large or connected enough to sustain the population. As well as continuing to survey South West London, Kate is extending the reach of the project into a completely new area. She’ll look in North East London, Walthamstow and Lea Valley, to increase our knowledge of hedgehog hotspots and populations across Greater London.