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Politics in Salzgitter: Night driving ban for robotic lawnmowers to protect hedgehogs!
Salzgitter is discussing a night driving ban for robotic lawnmowers to protect endangered hedgehogs. Motion from the Greens in the council on December 10th.
Politics in Salzgitter: Night driving ban for robotic lawnmowers to protect hedgehogs!
In Salzgitter, politics is getting a little closer to protecting local hedgehogs. The Greens - The PARTY council group has submitted an application that aims to temporarily restrict the use of robotic lawnmowers in the city. The aim of this initiative is to help hedgehogs and other small animals, whose populations have declined alarmingly in recent years. A central concern: a ban on night driving for robotic lawnmowers.
As regionalheute.de reports, the city administration should be commissioned to examine the implementation of such a ban. A general decree based on the Federal Nature Conservation Act could be issued for this purpose. This has already been successfully implemented in neighboring communities such as Göttingen and Hildesheim. In Cologne, for example, they show that there is another way. In addition, an educational campaign is planned to inform citizens about the dangers of robotic lawnmowers for wild animals.
The endangered hedgehog species
The brown-breasted hedgehog, which was named “Animal of the Year” in 2024, is on the warning list of the Red List of Mammals. This is not an isolated matter - NABU Lower Saxony is sounding the alarm: more and more domestic hedgehogs are at risk from robotic lawnmowers in their own gardens. NABU is calling for a nationwide ban on driving these devices at night, as hedgehogs are primarily active at dusk and at night, which makes them particularly vulnerable.
According to ndr.de, over 500 injured or weakened hedgehogs were taken in at the Leiferde Species Protection Center in 2024, many of which were injured or even killed by robotic lawnmowers. There are already night driving bans in numerous German cities, including Göttingen and Hildesheim. Violations of these bans can result in severe fines.
The dangers of robotic lawnmowers
A groundbreaking report on bund.net makes it clear that the sharp, rotating blades of robotic lawnmowers are a significant risk factor for hedgehogs. The small animals are not flight animals and react in dangerous situations by curling up, which makes them easy victims. If these devices are used at night, it is particularly fatal because the hedgehogs are actively looking for food.
In addition, robotic lawnmowers also lead to a decline in biodiversity by destroying plants and food sources for insects. This also means that hedgehogs turn to other food sources that may pose health risks, such as snails, which can carry parasites.
Protective measures for hedgehogs
To ensure the survival of hedgehogs, environmentalists give tips for hedgehog-friendly gardens. This includes promoting native plants, avoiding chemical agents and considering alternative mowing methods. Communicating with neighbors about the dangers of robotic lawnmowers can also make a valuable contribution.
The decision on the Greens' application will be made in the Salzgitter City Council on December 10th. It remains to be hoped that politicians will implement the urgently needed protection for our hedgehogs not only in words, but also in actions.