The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) has issued an urgent plea to help hedgehogs during bonfire season, with a brand-new video campaign.

BHPS is asking people to share their new Look Before You Light video – created with production company Liquona, the creatives behind the award-winning BHPS film, The Littlest Hoglet.

Fay Vass, Chief Executive of BHPS said: “Our new campaign reminds people to #RememberHedgehogs and help keep the wildlife living in our gardens safe – especially at this time of year.

“A bonfire pile looks like a perfect ready-made home to a hedgehog seeking a safe winter nest to hibernate in. So please look before you light – hedgehogs have no idea of the danger they’re in.

“Please share it with your friends, family and colleagues to remind them that taking just a few extra minutes to consider your actions can save the lives of hedgehogs, other wildlife and pets.”

As well as sharing the video far and wide, BHPS is asking everyone to Stop, Move and Check this November:

As well as sharing the video far and wide, BHPS is asking everyone to Stop, Move and Check this November:

1. Stop – do you need to have a bonfire? Can you attend a community event, or mark the occasion in a more wildlife-friendly way? The fewer bonfires there are, the fewer wildlife casualties there will be.

2. Move – if you do decide to have a bonfire, only build it on the day you plan to light it. Move all collected materials to a new site just before burning, in case hedgehogs, other wildlife or pets have decided to hide inside.

3. Check – before lighting from one side only, check the entire bonfire pile carefully for wildlife and pets. Shine a torch inside the pile and gently lift each section with a pole or broom as you look. Never use a spade or fork as these can cause great harm. Also 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 its nest and place in a high-sided box with plenty of torn newspaper, towelling or straw. Ensure the lid has air holes and is firmly secured – hedgehogs are great climbers!
• Use gardening gloves or a folded towel to handle them – those spikes are sharp!
• 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 or cat biscuits and water.
• Once the embers are totally dampened down that night, release the hedgehog under a hedge, bush or log-pile near where it was found, with its original nesting materials and some more food and water.

You can also download & share our posters for free!

Poster 1     Poster 2     Poster 3