Hedgehog round up delays building

BUILDING work on a new housing estate in the Riviera has been postponed after the discovery of a group of hedgehogs.

Construction of the 97 new flats in the Gorbella area of Nice will have to wait until next year while a group of around ten of the animals, which are an endangered species, is caught and taken to a new home.

The pause came after a petition to save the creatures gained nearly 1,500 signatures over the course of a weekend.

It was launched by the Association Green after a resident spotted one of the hedgehogs while walking her dog and informed them about the discovery.

The president of the Association Green Sébastien Valembois said “Even the presence of one single hedgehog is enough to take action, as they are protected by the law.”

At least ten of the animals have since been spotted and now efforts are under way to round them up.

After being captured, they will be placed into the care of an authorised keeper who lives in nearby Cagnes-sur-Mer and already cares for 17 other hedgehogs.

“They will stay there for the winter, as the hibernation period is approaching and they would die if they were released elsewhere.” Mr Valembois added. They will be re-released into the wild next year.

Hedgehogs have been a protected species since 1981, but even so, their situation in France is critical, as 60% of the population has disappeared in the last ten years.

This is mainly due to chemical poisoning from pesticides, and an increase in the number of road accidents.

The work on the apartment building on Avenue Léo-Imbert will continue next year.

Photo: LazyDaisie