Twiggy sparks bonfire night hedgehog checks!
With bonfire night and Halloween fast approaching, the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) and its Patron Twiggy are urging people to build bonfires on the day they are to be lit to save hedgehogs and other wildlife from appalling suffering. 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! Fay Vass, Chief Executive of BHPS, said “If material is stored on open ground in advance of having a bonfire, it’s crucial to dismantle it and 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.”
If a large bonfire must be built in advance, protect it whilst building by putting some chicken wire, at least 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! In case you have missed anything light the fire from one side only and keep people away from the unlit side so that any hedgehogs can hopefully escape in peace.
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 to see and listen for a hissing sound, as this is the noise they make when disturbed. Fay continues “If hedgehogs are found, take as much of the nest as you can and place them in a high-sided cardboard or plastic box with plenty of newspaper/old towelling. 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 keep them calm as hedgehogs are easily stressed – also, it protects your hands from their spikes. Put the box in a safe quiet place such as a shed or garage well away from the festivities, offer specialist hedgehog food, meaty cat or dog food and water. Once the bonfire is totally dampened down, release the hedgehog under a hedge, bush or behind a stack of logs.”
Twiggy added “Hedgehogs are in decline and it’s so important that we do all we can to help them. Please check carefully and remove hedgehogs or other wildlife before setting fire to any bonfire piles. Have fun, but stay safe and keep our wildlife safe too.” Going to an official organised fireworks display is a far safer option for both humans and animals!
For free advice and information on hedgehogs, contact the BHPS on 01584 890 801.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
NOTES:
• For pictures, further comment or interviews with Fay Vass, Chief Executive of BHPS, please call 01584 890801
• By giving out the above information prior to Halloween and Bonfire weekend, it will hopefully stop people from building their bonfires in advance, thus saving many hedgehogs from horrific suffering. Many thanks.
• If you would prefer to save paper and receive future press releases by email, please email info@britishhedgehogs.org.uk and ask to be added to email press list.
Bonfire Night Posters
Please click on the images below to view/download a copy of the bonfire night posters.
To save hedgehogs and other wildlife from appalling suffering Ben Fogle, Patron of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) is backing the Society’s plea 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! Fay Vass, Chief Executive of BHPS, said “Piles of bonfire material look like five star hotels to a hedgehog in search of a hibernation site. It is important 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.”
If, whilst building, a bonfire is left unattended, for however short a time; it’s imperative to check for hedgehogs and other animals, including family pets, before lighting. Ben says “Please remember to check bonfires carefully for hedgehogs and other animals prior to lighting. Then if it is clear, light only from one side so as to allow an escape route for anything you may have missed.” 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.
Fay continues “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. 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 you don’t 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 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 is a far safer option for both humans and animals.
For advice and to obtain the names of carers in your area in advance of bonfire night, contact the BHPS on 01584 890 801.
