The hedgehog has been cast in the unfamiliar role of "bad guy" in the Western Isles of Scotland.

The islands provide breeding habitats for thousands of pairs of wading birds, but they nest on the ground and are vulnerable to the army of hedgehogs which eat their eggs.

The pet hedgehogs were taken to South Uist in the Outer Hebrides in the 1970s. But the imported animals got away, bred successfully and there is now thought to be up to 10,000 of them.

They have become such a threat to the internationally-renowned colonies of birds that the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is considering ways to take them off the islands.

A spokesman for the RSPB in Scotland, David Minns, told the BBC's Today programme: "We have a bit of a problem on our hands."

David Minns explains the threat from hedgehogs (2'50")

"Hedgehogs are nice little creatures in the right place. Unfortunately, the Uists are not the right place.

"Complete clearance is likely to be impossible. However, we think that for the most important area for wading birds, trapping and transport back to the mainland, where they are welcome, might be an option but rather time-consuming and expensive."

"It's a classic example of how we should not transport the world's wildlife around. We should leave it where it has evolved so that it is in balance with all the other creatures."

The RSPB is now in discussion with the Government agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, to try to find a solution.
 

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