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Robot lawn mowers are a danger to hedgehogs
PRINT ALL READINGS (PDF)Hedgehogs - Level 0
Hedgehogs face many dangers. There is a new danger — robot lawn mowers. These are machines that automatically cut the grass in gardens. They are killing hedgehogs in Germany. Mayors in Germany want a ban on using the mowers at night. Hedgehogs curl up into a ball when there is danger, so mowers cannot see them.
German law protects hedgehogs. People who harm them can get a big fine. The animals are on a "near threatened" list. A German mayor wants lawn mower makers to help hedgehogs. She wants them, "to find solutions to ensure that small animals are no longer endangered by robot lawn mowers".
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Hedgehogs - Level 1
Animals face many dangers. These include climate change, habitat loss, and pollution. There is a new danger — robot lawn mowers. These are machines that automatically cut the grass in gardens. Mayors in Germany say the mowers are killing hedgehogs. Mayors in Germany want a nationwide ban on using the mowers at night. Hedgehogs are at risk. They curl up into a ball when there is danger. This makes it difficult for a mower to detect hedgehogs.
German law protects hedgehogs. People who harm or kill them could get a $75,000 fine. The animals are on a "near threatened" list. Their numbers dropped by over 30 per cent in the last 10 years. A German mayor wants lawn mower makers to help hedgehogs. She wants them, "to find solutions to ensure that small animals are no longer endangered by robot lawn mowers". She added: "This is a key step towards protecting animals."
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Hedgehogs - Level 2
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Animals face many dangers every day. These include climate change, habitat loss, and pollution. Mayors in Germany have found a new danger — robot lawn mowers. These are machines that automatically cut the grass in people's gardens. The mayors say the mowers are killing hedgehogs and other small animals. Two cities have started a night-time ban on using the lawn mowers. However, other mayors want a nationwide ban. Hedgehogs are at risk. They curl up into a ball when there is danger. This makes it more difficult for a robot mower's sensors to detect a hedgehog.
German law protects hedgehogs. People who injure, trap, or kill them could get a $75,000 fine. The animals have been on the "near threatened" list since 2024. This is because their numbers dropped by over 30 per cent in the previous 10 years. One German mayor asked lawn mower makers to do more to protect hedgehogs. She said: "We are calling on manufacturers to find solutions to ensure that small animals are no longer endangered by robot lawn mowers." She added: "This is a key step towards protecting animals and enriching the quality of life in the city through biodiversity."
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Online activities | 8-page printable (PDF)
Hedgehogs - Level 3
Animals face many dangers in their daily lives. These include climate change, habitat loss, and pollution. Mayors in Germany have highlighted a new danger — robot lawn mowers. These are the small machines that automatically go up and down people's gardens to cut the grass. German mayors say the devices are killing hedgehogs and other small animals, especially at night. The cities of Munich and Cologne have started a night-time ban on the use of the lawn mowers. However, officials want a nationwide ban. Hedgehogs are particularly at risk. They curl up into a ball when they sense danger. This makes it more difficult for a robot mower's sensors to detect a curled-up hedgehog.
Hedgehogs are protected under German law. People who injure, trap, or kill them could get a fine of up to €65,000 ($75,000). The animals have been on the "near threatened" list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature since 2024. This is because their numbers dropped by over 30 per cent in the previous decade. Mayor Claudia Kalisch has asked lawn mower makers to do more to protect hedgehogs. She said: "We are calling on manufacturers to find solutions to ensure that small animals are no longer endangered by robot lawn mowers." She added: "This is a key step towards protecting animals and enriching the quality of life in the city through biodiversity."
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