Press Release

Press Release Archive: Wednesday 27 October 2010

Beware of sleeping hedgehogs in bonfires

The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust are asking people to look out for hiding hedgehogs before they light fires on Bonfire Night.

Hedgehogs are one of our most endearing mammals: instantly recognizable with their protective coat of spines and well known for their habit of rolling into a tight ball when threatened.  But bonfire night must be a frightening time for them.  Many crawl into unlit bonfires in the hope that it will be a cosy location for their winter hibernation only to find that it goes up in smoke.   If you are planning a bonfire please help keep hedgehogs safe from harm by following our simple guidelines: Try and build the bonfire as close to the night as possible to reduce the chance of a hedgehog moving in. Ideally make your pile of material next to the bonfire site and re-build the stack prior to lighting. Before lighting, search the bonfire for hibernating creatures using a torch and rake, to gently pull back twigs or vegetation. Move any hedgehogs found to a ready made hedgehog box or somewhere dry and safe away from the fire. If possible, before bonfire night create an alternative hedgehog home by placing some hedgehog boxes in the surrounding area or raking up grass cuttings or autumn leaves into a pile a safe distance from the fire.  Hopefully the hedgehogs will occupy these rather than the bonfire. In Lincolnshire, we know very little about how many hedgehogs there are or where they occur.  Throughout the year, the Lincolnshire Biodiversity Partnership has been collecting details of hedgehog sightings.  Their anecdotal evidence suggests that hedgehogs are now being seen less frequently in Lincolnshire - reflecting the concern that there has been a drastic decline in hedgehog numbers across the UK. Details of hedgehog sightings can be submitted to the Lincolnshire Biodiversity Partnership, please include: number of hedgehogs seen location seen (using the postcode or a grid reference) date seen  your name and contact details. Send your hedgehog records to: info@lincsbiodiversity.org.uk -- OR -- Lincolnshire Biodiversity Partnership Banovallum House Manor House Street Horncastle Lincolnshire LN9 5HF

Notes to Editors

1. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is a wildlife conservation organisation only.  Any queries relating to animal welfare such as injured hedgehogs should be directed to your local wildlife hospital or the RSPCA. Details can be found on our Care of Sick and Injured Animals factsheet.
   
   
2. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and wild places throughout the historic county of Lincolnshire - from the Humber to the Wash.  The Trust is Lincolnshire's leading nature conservation charity with over 25,000 members and around 100 nature reserves.  The Trust is a member of a nationwide network of 47 local trusts which work to protect wildlife - The Wildlife Trusts.
   Visit: http://lincstrust.org.uk 
   
   
3. The Wildlife Trusts.  There are 47 Wildlife Trusts across the whole of the UK, the Isle of Man and Alderney.  We are working for an environment rich in wildlife for everyone.  With nearly 800,000 members, we are the largest UK voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the full range of the UK's habitats and species, whether they be in the countryside, in cities or at sea.  135,000 of our members belong to our junior branch, Wildlife Watch.  We manage 2,256 nature reserves covering more than 90,000 hectares; we stand up for wildlife; we inspire people about the natural world and we foster sustainable living.
   Visit: http://www.wildlifetrusts.org

For further information please contact

Rachel Shaw, Public Relations Officer
Tel: 01507 526667   (ansaphone out of office hours)
Fax: 01507 525732
Email: Rachel Shaw

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
Banovallum House
Manor House Street
Horncastle
Lincolnshire LN9 5HF

Website: www.lincstrust.org.uk