Dead hedgehogs will be placed in front of robotic lawnmowers

The bodies of hedgehogs who died of natural causes are going to be placed in front of robotic lawnmowers to find out if they are responsible for a spate of injuries. A study by the University of Oxford and others follows an increase in complaints by members of the public claiming automatic mowers are injuring the mammals. Sensors on the devices are supposed to detect any creatures that are in their path as they mow the lawn and move around them to avoid causing harm or even death. People have taken to social media and contacted animal shelters to report mutilated hedgehogs and are blaming the robots for their injuries - but little evidence exists. Hedgehog expert Dr Sophie Lund Rasmussen said she will use creatures that died of natural causes, place them in the garden and see if electric lawnmowers spot them.