With the number of people heading outdoors set to increase over the summer months, the Scottish SPCA is urging the public to act responsibly and adhere to leave no trace, warning littering is a key driver for trapped wildlife.
To mark World Environment Day, and with the summer holidays approaching, the Society is warning public carelessness can have devastating, often deadly, consequences for wildlife – particularly in Scotland where 98% of the landmass is rural.
The Highlands Council’s annual ranger reports painted a stark picture with rangers filling 2,100 bags of litter last year and recording 638 waste and fly‑tipping incidents – figures that have barely changed in recent years. When these spaces are treated irresponsibly, wildlife tends to pay the price, putting already vulnerable species at an even greater risk.
Sean Meechan, Wildlife Operations Lead at the Scottish SPCA, said: “With unseasonably warm May we have seen a particularly high number of wildlife arrive in our care trapped in some form of netting or wire that can be associated with outdoor activities compared to previous years. These include Foxes, Badgers, gulls and hedgehogs, there has been a range of damage caused to them, from relatively minor to quite extensive, requiring significant care.”
Litter can be deadly
According to a 2022 report, carried out by People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, the population of rural hedgehogs has declined by 30% to 75% since 2000. Road accidents and littering are major contributors to this sharp decline. Hedgehogs are naturally inquisitive, often leading them to investigate rubbish, where they become trapped and injured, sometimes leading to their death.
One such victim was Ang, a hedgehog found terrified and barely breathing by one of our Animal Rescue Officers. Upon inspection, our officer found football netting cutting into her skin and as she struggled to free herself it resulted in deeper lacerations and infection. Fortunately, after weeks of treatment at the National Wildlife Centre, Ang was finally well enough to return to the wild.
But she is far from alone. Three hedgehogs are currently recovering in our care after getting trapped in netting. Every one of these incidents was preventable and diverts vital resources away from animals who urgently need our help.
The Scottish SPCA is also urging the public to take greater care when driving, as calls to its helpline relating to road traffic accidents surge past 2,000 within three years and littering continues to be a serious problem.
A wildlife crisis
Scotland is renowned for its wildlife, homing more than 90,000 species, yet many are declining. According to the State of the Nature Scotland report, one in nine species is threatened with national extinction and Scottish wildlife has decreased by 15% since 1994.
The pressure is mounting. Between 2023 and 2025, the charity responded to almost 109,000 wildlife incidents – highlighting the scale of the crisis.
Help us help wildlife
Across Scotland, many animals are alone and scared, and some need lifesaving care for their injuries. We depend on you to keep our doors open. Your donations could be the reason why the next Angus survives. Make a donation today.
