Wildlife

Wild Hedgehog Bonfire and Garden Welfare Risks

Garden hazards including bonfires, garden machinery, and ponds kill thousands of hedgehogs annually across the UK.

Key Facts

Hedgehogs shelter in piles of leaves and debris - the same material used for bonfires
Hedgehog deaths from being inside bonfires when lit are widely reported
Garden strimmers cause fatal injuries to hedgehogs in long grass
Ponds without exit ramps are drowning traps for hedgehogs
Garden netting at ground level entangles and strangles hedgehogs

Welfare Considerations

Garden and bonfire hazards cause acute, often fatal injuries to hedgehogs. These are largely preventable through simple awareness and management changes. The welfare impact of bonfire and machinery incidents is severe and immediate.

What You Can Do

Always check bonfire piles for hedgehogs before lighting
Fit escape ramps to ponds
Use hedgehog-friendly garden practices and check grass before strimming