Yes there are that many hedgehogs roving around in Britain!

I think it's probably our most common form of roadkill, but that's another story. And over here, I've never seen a hedgehog in a pet shop - they are wild animals and most people do their best to keep them from harm and feed them should they happen upon one in their garden. A colleague of mine keeps finding them trapped in her plastic recylcing box and has to keep setting them free.

I see your point about the cows, but I think that's probably the same one that the hedgehog lovers are making: killing cows and clearing forests for cattle ranching is bad enough, without killing the British wildlife as well.

__________________
"Time flies like an arrow -
Fruit flies like a banana"

M Y - N A U G H T Y - P I C T U R E S ! !