Every year, hundreds of hedgehogs die unnecessarily in garden bonfires…
Please help prevent these deaths by checking your own fireworks night bonfire before you set it, and sharing this film by Mark Sharman, narrated by BBC One Show presenter Mike Dilger, which features
Queen’s Brian May, an advocate of British wildlife.
Mark’s film is sponsored by Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue.
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The owner of Goodnight Boutique, drew this poster about the dangers of bonfires to hedgehogs and friends for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society |
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society is running its own campaign on this front, backed by TV’s Ben Fogle.
To save hedgehogs and other wildlife from appalling suffering the Society urges that bonfires should not be built until the day they are to be lit. This will not only save wildlife from burning to death but will also stop the bonfire from getting soaked should it rain the night before!
“Piles of bonfire material look like five star hotels to a hedgehog in search of a hibernation site,” explains Fay Vass, Chief Executive of BHPS. “It is crucial to dismantle and move bonfire material that has been stored in advance on open ground. Move it to another spot just before lighting. Ensure it’s moved to clear ground – never on top of a pile of leaves as there could be a hedgehog underneath, and not too close to pampas grass which can ignite very easily and is another favourite spot for hedgehogs to hide under.”
Society Patron Ben Fogle added “It’s awful to think of poor hedgehogs being burnt alive on bonfire night, please, please check fire piles carefully before lighting them. Hedgehogs are a species in decline, every single one is precious.”
If a large bonfire has to be built in advance, protect it whilst building by putting some chicken wire one metre high all the way around the bottom. This should be held in place with stakes and the wire should slope outwards at an angle to make it difficult to climb, as hedgehogs are good climbers!
If, whilst building, a bonfire is left unattended, for however short a time; it’s imperative to check for young children, hedgehogs and other animals, including family pets, before lighting. As hedgehogs tend to hide in the centre and bottom two feet of the bonfire, check by gently lifting the bonfire section by section with a pole or broom. Never use a spade or fork as these can stab them. Using a torch will help and listen for a hissing sound, as this is the noise they make when disturbed.
“If hedgehogs are found, take as much of the nest as you can and place them in a high-sided cardboard box with plenty of newspaper/old towelling,” says Fay. “Ensure there are air holes in the lid and that the lid is secured firmly to the box, as hedgehogs are great climbers. Wear garden gloves so as not to get human smells on them and to minimise stress caused to the hedgehog, also, it protects your hands from their spikes.
“Put the box in a safe place such as a shed or garage well away from the festivities, as fireworks can terrify them, and offer them meaty cat or dog food and fresh water to drink. Once the bonfire is totally dampened down, release the hedgehog under a hedge, bush or behind a stack of logs with more food and water.”
Going to an official organised fireworks display such as Light Up Lancaster is a far safer option for both humans and animals.
• For free advice and to obtain the names of carers in your area in advance of bonfire night, contact the BHPS on 01584 890 801 or see their website at www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk
• Brian May’s “Save Me” Site: www.save-me.org.uk