26 October 2007 ….. Immediate Release …

WARNING: LOOK OUT FOR HIDING HEDGEHOGS ON BONFIRE NIGHT!

Warwickshire Wildlife Trust are asking people to look out for hiding hedgehogs before they light fires on Bonfire Night (Monday 5 November).

At this time of year hedgehogs begin to look for places to hibernate and unlit bonfires make an ideal refuge.  Hedgehogs numbers are in decline due to a loss of habitat , development pressures , possible loss of food sources due to intensive farming and the possible effects of slug pellets.  Hedgehogs have recently joined the red squirrel and bottlenose dolphin on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan list of species in need of conservation and greater protection. 

The Wildlife Trusts advise people to help protect hedgehogs by following these guidelines when building a bonfire:

Build the bonfire as close to the night as possible so there's less chance of a hedgehog moving in

Make your pile of material next to the bonfire site and re-build the stack before lighting it

Search the bonfire for hibernating creatures using a torch and rake before starting the fire

Move any hedgehogs found to a ready-made hedgehog box or somewhere dry and safe away from the fire

Before bonfire night make an alternative hedgehog home by raking up grass cuttings or autumn leaves into a pile a safe distance from the fire. Hopefully sleepy ‘hogs will choose to snooze there instead of the bonfire

Andy Tasker , Chief Executive said: “To a hedgehog looking for a place to sleep, an unlit bonfire is a ready made nest.  We are asking people to give hedgehogs a helping hand by following our instructions and checking any bonfires before lighting them.  It only takes a minute to do but can save hundreds of hedgehogs from an unnecessary death.

“Hedgehogs are great friends to gardeners and a natural pest-killer.  However, numbers are in decline and we need to do all we can to help them out.  Once bonfire night is over why not think about creating a hedgehog haven in your garden?  Hedgehogs need garden habitats that mimic woodland edge and hedgerow and will feed on slugs, snails, beetles, worms, and caterpillars.  You can provide leafy, twiggy places for hibernation – small piles of logs or leaves are ideal.  Avoid slug pellets and don’t keep your garden too tidy!”

ENDS

  Last updated 28 October, 2008