The German Association of Cities is calling for a ban on robotic lawnmowers operating at night to protect hedgehogs and other small animals. Claudia Kalisch, Vice President of the German Association of Cities and Mayor of Lüneburg, told the Funke Media Group newspapers that many animals are active in gardens, particularly in the evenings, and rely on these green spaces in their immediate residential environment. Since natural habitats are diminishing, cities are increasingly becoming essential alternative habitats for these creatures. Therefore, a nationwide nighttime ban is considered a “more consistent form of protection”. Kalisch also emphasized the responsibility of the machine manufacturers, urging them to “find solutions so that small animals are not further endangered by robotic mowers”. Furthermore, she suggested that citizens could actively contribute to wildlife protection by adjusting their equipment so that it does not operate overnight. This, she stated, would be a crucial step in protecting animals and enhancing the quality of life in urban areas throughbiodiversity. Hedgehogs, in particular, are at high risk from these robots because, when threatened, they instinctively curl up rather than fleeing.
City Council Demands Nationwide Nighttime Ban for Lawn Mowers To Protect Wildlife
