Volunteers from Carmarthenshire are being sought to take part in a hedgehog survey.
The prickly friends have undergone a marked decline in recent years and conservationists want to know why.
A new way of monitoring has been developed using footprint tunnels to identify what is happening to the hedgehog population.
Volunteers can undertake the survey, which is supported by Carmarthenshire Environment Partnership (CEP), at any time until September for five consecutive days.
Sites have already been pre-selected as they are associated with information on badger density, something that is likely to be an important influence on hedgehogs.
Equipment will be provided following signing up.
Carmarthenshire Environment partnership’s development Officer, Anna Patterson said: “The partnership supports this type of survey. As residents we often take for granted that hedgehogs survive ‘whatever the weather’ but in actual fact they play as an important in our local biodiversity systems in the county as every other life form.
We urge residents to take part in this survey but please respect the Countryside Code when doing so.”
Spearheading the survey is the People’s Trust for Endangered Species. It is hoped findings from national survey will produce information on the distribution and abundance of the spiny species from across Wales and the UK.
Those interested are urged to contact AMPatterson@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call 01267 224124
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