Wildlife Welfare

Wild Hedgehog Bonfire Safety

Protecting hedgehogs from bonfire-related welfare harm and mortality.

Key Facts

Hedgehogs commonly shelter in bonfire piles built days before lighting, creating fatal traps
Hedgehog mortality from bonfires is a significant welfare concern during autumn bonfire season
Simple mitigation - checking and moving piles on the day of lighting - prevents most deaths
Building the bonfire on the day it is lit, rather than days ahead, eliminates the risk entirely

Welfare Considerations

Bonfire deaths represent acute, preventable welfare harm to a declining species. The simple act of checking bonfire piles before lighting, or building the bonfire on the day, directly saves individual animal lives. Public awareness campaigns around bonfire season are among the most cost-effective hedgehog welfare interventions.

What You Can Do

Check bonfire piles by hand or with a torch before lighting - look for hedgehogs in the base
Build bonfires on the day they are lit rather than days in advance
Share hedgehog bonfire safety guidance with neighbours before bonfire night each year