Inflation plummets in July, criminal networks now avoiding Sweden on 'theft tours,' and soon time for Sweden's annual hedgehog count. Here's today's news.

Inflation plummets in July, criminal networks now avoiding Sweden on 'theft tours,' and soon time for Sweden's annual hedgehog count. Here's today's news. Next week the third annual hedgehog count begins in Sweden. The survey has previously shown that the animal is no longer sighted in several places where they should be. In 2024, 50,000 hedgehogs were reported, last year 55,000. WWF and Nordens Ark now want to hear from the public about as many sightings of hedgehogs – both alive and dead – as possible. According to Jessica Ångström at WWF, the hedgehog is an endangered animal whose endangered status is getting worse and worse. This could be due to traffic, lost habitats or diseases, parasites, and/or environmental toxins. Last year's data showed that the animal seems to be missing from several areas in Sweden where it was previously found – e.g. areas around Gothenburg, Bohuslän and Dalsland, and north of Stockholm up towards Uppsala. "There seem to be a shortage of them there and we can't really answer why right now," said Ångström. Hedgehog Week occurs in week 33, this year 10–16 August, for the third year in a row. The project is run by WWF and Nordens Ark and will last for at least five years. Funding comes from the Swedish Postcode Lottery. The public is asked to report where, when and how many hedgehogs they have seen – alternatively that they have not seen or have never seen any at the location. You can do your hedgehog reporting here.