Lawns kept neat at the expense of animal suffering: Eels perishing under mower robots, predominantly during night hours.
Lawn Mowing Robots Pose Threat to Hedgehogs, Raising Concerns among Experts
The resurgence of automated lawn mowers in numerous gardens has sparked controversy due to their impact on hedgehogs. As stated by Julia Stubenbord, the animal protection officer in Baden-Württemberg, these nocturnal creatures typically curl up instead of moving away when confronted by the machinery, thereby increasing the number of injured hedgehogs.
Experts from institutions like the German Federal Environmental Agency (BUND) and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) have long advocated for a ban on the operation of these robots during nighttime hours to minimize the risk to hedgehogs. Cities such as Cologne, Mainz, and soon Erfurt, have already implemented such measures.
Last year, the Leibniz-IZW, in partnership with hedgehog rescue stations, reported 370 hedgehogs with cutting injuries nationwide from June 2022 to October 2023. Nearly half (47%) did not survive, while many other injured or killed animals went unreported due to the hedgehogs' tendency to flee into protective hedges and bushes after accidents.
Anne Berger from Leibniz-IZW indicated that at least 60% of these injured hedgehogs were discovered days or weeks after the accidents, underscoring their extended suffering. Berger emphasized that such animal suffering is legally prohibited if alternative solutions exist that do not cause harm to animals.
The rapid decline in the number of hedgehogs is not solely attributable to robotic lawn mowers. The modern agricultural landscape and neat gardens offer inadequate habitats for these animals, contributing to their dwindling numbers. Many hedgehogs are run over or struggle to find enough food due to the rapid decline in insect populations.
In Germany, the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is listed as "potentially threatened" on the international IUCN Red List.
Stihl, a leading manufacturer, acknowledges the potential risk posed by robotic mowers to hedgehogs. The company has introduced measures to reduce this risk in their current generation of mowers, such as pre-set mowing plans that do not include nighttime activation and warning users against programming nighttime mowing through their mower app.
BUND advises homeowners to consider whether a robotic mower is necessary at all, as the alternation or removal of these devices would not only benefit hedgehogs but also other wildlife, including insects, amphibians, and various other animals. Encouraging grass growth in gardens can enhance biodiversity.
Manufacturers are addressing the issue by integrating advanced obstacle detection systems, hedgehog protection features, adjustable app settings, safety features, and promoting responsible use among their customers to minimize potential risks to wildlife.
- Given the number of injured hedgehogs resulting from automated lawn mowers, experts in environmental science and mental health alike are advocating for preventing their operation during nighttime hours, as seen with cities like Cologne, Mainz, and soon Erfurt.
- The impact of robot mowers on the European hedgehog elevates concerns in the health-and-wellness and science sectors, with organizations such as the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research stating that at least 60% of the injured hedgehogs were discovered days or weeks after accidents, causing extended suffering.
