As one of the UK’s best-loved mammals, hedgehogs are in need of our help more than ever. Since the 1970s, hedgehog populations have plummeted, with estimates suggesting a decline of over 50% in rural areas and 30% in urban zones, largely due to habitat loss and fragmentation. With Bonfire Night today, it’s crucial that we all do our part to protect these vulnerable creatures.
As hedgehogs start to prepare for hibernation, they may mistake unlit bonfire piles for safe shelters, making them especially at risk this time of year. After hosting the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) on their ‘A Walk in the Park’ podcast, Animal Friends learned just how integral hedgehogs are to the UK’s ecosystem and how vulnerable they’ve become.
To help safeguard these prickly garden guests, Catrin George, Animal Wellbeing Specialist at the pet insurance company, shares three vital steps you can take this Bonfire Night to protect our hedgehogs.
Don’t build it, move it
With urbanisation erasing much of hedgehogs’ natural habitat, UK gardens have become essential spaces for hedgehogs to forage and nest. Catrin explains, “Urbanisation is destroying much of the hedgehog’s natural habitat, making our gardens a safe and enticing space for them. It’s vital we do what we can to protect them, especially during Bonfire Night.
“Building a bonfire in advance can unintentionally attract hedgehogs seeking shelter. Wherever possible, wait until the day you plan to light your bonfire to build it. The longer a pile is left undisturbed, the more attractive it becomes for hedgehogs looking for a hibernation spot.”
Check your heap for hogs
If you need to assemble your bonfire ahead of time, taking extra precautions is key. Catrin advises:
“To keep hedgehogs out, consider surrounding the bonfire base with chicken wire that’s at least a metre high and angled outward. This barrier makes it difficult for hedgehogs to climb in.
“If you don’t have chicken wire, always check the bonfire before lighting. Hedgehogs often nest within the bottom two feet of the pile, close to the centre. Carefully lift sections of the bonfire with a pole or broom handle, shine a torch to look for signs of life, and listen for the soft hissing sound hedgehogs make when disturbed.”
The escape plan
After checking for hedgehogs, it’s still wise to assume there could be one hiding. Catrin suggests lighting your bonfire from one corner rather than the centre, which provides any hidden wildlife an escape route.
Hugh Warwick, a spokesperson for the BHPS, adds: “This is such an important time of year for hedgehogs. They have been busily feasting on all the wonderful bugs and beasts that share your garden and are now looking for somewhere to hibernate. But that pile of leaves and wood you’ve gathered can seem like the perfect hedgehog hotel. If you must burn garden waste, please only burn a pile you’ve built that day.”
If you do find a hedgehog in your bonfire, the BHPS advises gently moving it to safety. Carefully place the hedgehog, along with any nesting materials, into a high-sided box lined with newspaper or towels. Ensure the box has air holes and a secure lid, as hedgehogs are excellent climbers. Keep it in a quiet area, away from the festivities, and provide some meaty pet food and water. Once the bonfire has cooled completely, release the hedgehog near hedges or logs with its nesting materials.
Did you know? Hedgehogs are facing steep declines due to habitat loss, road accidents, and a lack of food sources. Conservation efforts, including protecting their natural habitats and building hedgehog highways between gardens, are essential to prevent further decline. According to the Mammal Society, we lose about 5% of our hedgehog population every year, a trend we can help reverse with simple steps to make our gardens hedgehog-friendly.
Protecting hedgehogs this Bonfire Night is a small but essential action we can all take to support a creature that’s not only beloved but vital to our ecosystems.
Photo by Tadeusz Lakota on Unsplash