Britain's Unlikely New Hire: The Hedgehog Officer

Have you ever heard of such a job? It’s quite real: Alexandra North, a 25-year-old researcher, has recently been appointed as Britain’s Hedgehog Officer, a unique position with an annual salary of $31,000.

Britain is facing a dwindling population of hedgehogs, small spiky mammals adored by gardeners for their snail-eating habits, which help protect gardens. Alarmed by the significant decline in hedgehog numbers, Suffolk's Wildlife Trust announced last month that they were searching for the right candidate for a new role: a Hedgehog Officer to oversee conservation efforts and represent this important issue to the public and media.

The job listing caught global attention—admit it, there aren’t many job ads as intriguing as one starting with "Wanted: Hedgehog Officer." But a love for hedgehogs wasn’t enough. The ideal candidate, the ad made clear, should have wildlife conservation experience and an understanding of hedgehog ecology.

A hundred and fifty candidates from diverse countries applied. Only four, all Britons, were invited for interviews. North, as it turns out, got the job.

Working from Ipswich, a town renowned for hedgehogs, North's responsibilities include monitoring hedgehog populations, raising awareness about their fate, and running campaigns to inspire residents to make their gardens more hedgehog-friendly. Ultimately, her new bosses have set the goal of making "Ipswich the most hedgehog-friendly town in Britain."

Holding academic degrees in zoology and conservation, North expressed her enthusiasm to the BBC: "Everyone loves hedgehogs, and they are vital to the biodiversity of our landscapes and wildlife," she said. "I truly hope to engage people and motivate them to see how small changes they make can be significant for these little creatures."