Hedgehog protection
Hedgehog protection
Robot mowers: major risk of injury for hedgehogs
For many gardeners, robotic mowers are a dream of a green and well-tended lawn and are becoming increasingly popular. However, this dream can quickly turn into a nightmare for hedgehogs and other small domestic animals. Silent robot mowers are very practical for us humans, but often deadly for hedgehogs, especially when they are used at dusk or at night.
Hedgehogs are active at dusk and at night and are therefore particularly vulnerable as they are not flight animals. Instead, they curl up and rely on the protection of their spines. This often results in serious cuts or severed limbs, which often lead to death. Another problem is that many robotic mower models do not recognise small animals without touching them first. Contrary to the claims of many manufacturers, scientific studies by the Leibnitz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research show that the robotic lawnmowers only stop and turn away when they come into direct contact with hedgehogs. Stiftung Warentest came to a similar conclusion in its last robot mower test (04/2024).
Loss of species due to excessive green maintenance
Not only robotic lawnmowers are dangerous for animals, but also string mowers, brushcutters and brushcutters that are used to trim lawn edges or under bushes and hedges. Hedgehogs in particular retreat to these places to sleep during the day.
Frequent mowing, brush cutters and leaf blowers also jeopardise biodiversity in the garden: amphibians, insects and arachnids are literally shredded, whirled up or sucked in. With frequent mowing, native wild herbs disappear and insects can no longer find food. This also poses challenges for hedgehogs in their search for food. They often have to travel long and dangerous distances to build up enough fat reserves for hibernation.
Biodiversity in the garden
The home garden is not only a recreational area for people, it can also make a decisive contribution to preserving biodiversity. If you want to help hedgehogs and the like, you can observe the following points in your garden:
- Only leave robotic lawnmowers running during the day and never leave them unattended.
- Be careful and considerate when working in the garden.
- Create refuges by not removing leaves, deadwood and brushwood piles or by deliberately creating them.
- Plant native plants and shrubs.
- Create flowering meadows or leave part of the meadow standing when mowing.
With a conscious approach, you can maintain your garden and at the same time provide a habitat for our native wildlife.
General ruling on the night-time driving ban for robot mowers
Valid since 12 June 2025
To ensure the protection of hedgehogs, the city of Chemnitz has restricted the operation of robotic lawnmowers at night. The general order has been in force since 12 June 2025.
A decline in the population of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) has been observed in various European countries in recent decades. Formerly abundant everywhere, a significant decline is also becoming apparent in Germany. For this reason, the hedgehog was included in the Red List of Mammals for the first time in 2020.
The general ruling is based on the Federal Nature Conservation Act and the Saxon Nature Conservation Act. Accordingly, robotic lawnmowers may no longer be operated half an hour before sunset. The restriction applies until half an hour after sunrise on the following day. Precise information on the twilight times in Chemnitz can be found on the website wetterdienst.de, for example.
Checks on compliance with the ban on starting up robot lawnmowers at night are carried out by the field service as part of ad hoc and preventive patrols. Information on violations of the applicable general order can also be reported to the Environmental Agency on 0371 488-3602 or 0371 488-3603 or by email.
According to information from three animal rescue and care centres in the city of Chemnitz, there has been a drastic increase in hedgehog care cases in the last 3 years. The number of care cases with cuts has doubled in 2024 compared to the previous year. It is assumed that the number of unreported cases is significantly higher, as injured hedgehogs usually hide and are therefore not found or the carcasses are eaten by other animals.
If particularly protected species, such as hedgehogs, are injured or even killed, this can be penalised with a fine of up to 50,000 euros. If the injured or killed animal is a strictly protected species (e.g. spadefoot toad, great crested newt or agile frog) and intent can be proven, this can be punished with a prison sentence.