Wildlife Group Urges Bonfire Checks for Hedgehogs

A wildlife organization has appealed to residents in Cornwall to inspect bonfires for hedgehogs prior to ignition. The British Hedgehog Preservation Society has issued a three-step guide designed to reduce potential harm to these animals. This guide advises individuals to consider if a bonfire is necessary, relocate the bonfire on the day it is to be lit, and thoroughly check it before ignition. Fay Vass, the society’s chief executive, explained that hedgehogs seeking a “really cosy nest of sticks, leaves and twigs” frequently perceive these piles as having “hit the jackpot and found a five star hotel for winter – not realising that we are going to set light to it.” She added, “Their defence mechanism is obviously to curl in a ball and hope the danger passes.” During an appearance on BBC Radio Cornwall, Mrs. Vass stated that the society lacks specific data regarding the annual number of hedgehogs killed or injured, attributing this to a high rate of unreported incidents. However, she noted that rescue facilities across the UK provide treatment for hedgehogs suffering from burns, with a significant number of these animals ultimately having “to be put down.” She advised that individuals who discover an injured hedgehog should “get them into a box with food and water” prior to reaching out to a nearby hedgehog rescue center.