Planning a bonfire? Remember Hedgehogs!
With November 5 fast approaching, the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) has issued a warning about the risks hedgehog face during bonfire season.
Fay Vass, chief executive of BHPS said: “Bonfire and firework season is one of the most dangerous times of the year for wild hedgehogs – so we’re asking people to take a moment to #RememberHedgehogs and consider how our actions can harm the wildlife living in our neighbourhoods.
“A bonfire pile looks like an inviting readymade home to a hedgehog seeking a warm winter nest to hibernate in.They don’t know we plan to set fire to it!
“Stop to consider if you could mark the season in a more hedgehog-friendly way. Take a few minutes to think about wildlife – it can really help save the lives of hedgehogs, other wildlife and pets.”
This November, BHPS is asking anyone planning a bonfire to Stop, Move and Check:
Stop – do you need to have a bonfire this year? Can you attend a community event, or mark the occasion in a different, more wildlife-friendly way? The fewer bonfires there are, the fewer wildlife casualties there are too.
Move - if you do decide to have a bonfire, always build it on the day you plan to light it. Move all accumulated materials to a new site as hedgehogs and other wildlife or pets may be hiding inside.
Check - before lighting from one side, check the entire bonfire pile carefully for wildlife and pets. Shining a torch inside the pile, gently lift each section with a pole or broom. Never use a spade or fork as these can cause great harm. Listen for the huffing sound of a hedgehog which has been disturbed.
Fay added: “It’s vital to remember hedgehogs at this time of year and to give them the best possible chance to escape the danger of a lit bonfire that they’ve mistaken for a safe haven.”
If you do find a hedgehog in your unlit bonfire heap:
Gather it up with as much of the nest as possible and place in a high-sided cardboard box with plenty of torn newspaper, towelling or straw. Ensure there are air holes in the lid and that the lid is firmly secured, as hedgehogs are great climbers.
Use gardening gloves or a folded towel to handle them – this helps keep them calm and avoids spreading our scent onto them. It also protects your hands from their spikes!
Put the box somewhere safe and quiet, such as a shed or garage well away from the festivities and offer the hedgehog some meaty cat or dog food and water.
Once the embers are totally dampened down, release the hedgehog under a hedge, bush or behind a stack of logs near where it was found, with its original nesting materials and some more food and water.
Visit www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk and follow BHPS on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.