The hedgehog is named Swiss animal of the year 2026

The hedgehog has been named Animal of the Year 2026 by the nature conservation organisation Pro Natura. One of Switzerland's best-loved wild animals, the hedgehog faces a gradual disappearance of suitable habitats. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The hedgehog has been present in Switzerland for around 20,000 years, Pro Natura wrote in a press release on Monday. The hedgehog's longevity can be explained by farmland adapted to its lifestyle, with plants of average height and sufficient insects and worms to feed on. However, this situation has changed considerably over the last century, warns Pro Natura. Hedges, leaf piles and branches have become rarer, streams have been channelled underground and agricultural production has become more intensive, causing the hedgehog to lose most of its habitats in agricultural areas. Faced with this phenomenon, the hedgehog has found an alternative habitat in the gardens and parks of villages and towns. This change is ...