Lawn Mowers Prohibited Under Cover of Darkness: A Dangerous Threat to Hedgehog Populations at Night. - Deadly Danger for Hedgehogs: The Threat Posed by Harvesting Robots
Article: Imposing a Nighttime Ban on Lawn Mowing Robots: Protecting Hedgehogs from Injuries
Germany's bold springtime gardening season has unveiled a concerning issue involving domestic robotic lawn mowers and the welfare of endangered hedgehogs. These tiny nocturnal creatures are at a heightened risk of injury and even death, thanks to the unsupervised nighttime operation of lawn mowing robots.
Baden-Württemberg's Bund for Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND), joined by Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW), assert that these quiet nights of lawn care could be a timely stage for a nighttime driving ban for these robotic devices. As the hedgehog population continues to dwindle, they were added to the pre-warning list of the Red List for Germany in 2020 and to the International Red List in 2024.
One reason for hedgehogs' vulnerability is their instinctive response to threats, which involves curling up instead of fleeing. This behavior leaves them defenseless against the sharp blades of the mowers. Indeed, Leibniz-IZW's study from 2024 reported 370 cutting injuries to hedgehogs nationwide over a period of one year, with almost half (47%) of the found and reported animals failing to survive their wounds. This grim figure implies a significant number of undetected or unreported casualties in hedgehog populations.
In an effort to address this issue, researchers conducted tests on multiple mower models, revealing that none demonstrated the ability to recognize a hedgehog without causing injury. Tests were performed in a controlled setting, employing dead hedgehog dummies placed in the path of the mowers. As a result, the scientific community is pursuing the development of hedgehog-friendly mowing robots,, including tests of realistic hedgehog dummies in Germany and collaborations between Leibniz-IZW and major mower manufacturers such as Husqvarna, Gardena, and Stihl.
Stihl, a key industry player, acknowledges the potential threat posed by lawn mowing robots to the hedgehog population. The company has implemented measures to minimize harm, including the exclusion of nighttime activation from default mowing plans, and a warning system geared toward protecting nocturnal animals. Other protective features include ultrasound sensors to detect obstacles and a Disc-Cut system, whose rotating blades counter-rotate in cases of resistance to reduce the risk of injury.
Despite these advancements, the debate persists regarding the true level of protection offered by modern lawn mowing robots when it comes to preserving the well-being of nocturnal animals. According to Berger, the most promising robots incorporate AI image recognition, often combined with laser or ultrasound technology. Nonetheless, none of the tested mowers have yet proved themselves as "hedgehog-friendly."
While some cities, such as Erfurt, are already discussing the prospect of implementing a nighttime driving ban for lawnmowers to protect both hedgehogs and other nocturnal wildlife, the legislation remains fluid across various municipalities. The reasons for the decline of hedgehog populations are multifold, encompassing factors beyond the confines of domestic lawn care, such as agriculture, forestry, road traffic, and reduced habitat.
As the global concern for endangered species and biodiversity grows, it is hoped that the interview results, tests, and studies conducted in this regard will pave the way for more effective, environmentally-focused strategies in the design and operation of lawnmowing robots. Garden enthusiasts can also play their part by steering clear of nighttime mowing activities and allowing patches of tall grass to serve as natural oases for nocturnal wildlife.
[Copied from Enrichment Data, with minor rephrasing]- In Beckum, recommendations highlight that robotic lawn mowers should strictly be operated during daytime with supervision to prevent harming hedgehogs, who are mainly active during twilight and nighttime. Part of these conservation measures includes raking the lawn before mowing and exercising caution when using other garden tools like trimmers or leaf blowers.
- Companies like STIGA have prioritized daylight-only operation modes in their latest robot mowers to protect nocturnal animals by preserving the nighttime peace.
- To minimize harm to hedgehogs, the community policy in Beckum recommends operating robotic lawn mowers only during the day with supervision, as hedgehogs are primarily active during twilight and nighttime.
- Adopting lifestyles that prioritize daytime lawn maintenance, such as daylight-only operation modes in robotic mowers, can contribute to environmental sciences, particularly in ensuring the survival of endangered species like hedgehogs, and maintaining balance in home-and-garden ecosystems.
