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Animals face many dangers in their daily lives. These include climate change, habitat loss, and pollution. Mayors in Germany have highlighted a new danger — robot lawn mowers. These are the small machines that automatically go up and down people's gardens to cut the grass. German mayors say the devices are killing hedgehogs and other small animals, especially at night. The cities of Munich and Cologne have started a night-time ban on the use of the lawn mowers. However, officials want a nationwide ban. Hedgehogs are particularly at risk. They curl up into a ball when they sense danger. This makes it more difficult for a robot mower's sensors to detect a curled-up hedgehog.
Hedgehogs are protected under German law. People who injure, trap, or kill them could get a fine of up to €65,000 ($75,000). The animals have been on the "near threatened" list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature since 2024. This is because their numbers dropped by over 30 per cent in the previous decade. Mayor Claudia Kalisch has asked lawn mower makers to do more to protect hedgehogs. She said: "We are calling on manufacturers to find solutions to ensure that small animals are no longer endangered by robot lawn mowers." She added: "This is a key step towards protecting animals and enriching the quality of life in the city through biodiversity."
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