Tips to keep hedgehogs safe during bonfire season

Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital in Sidlesham is currently caring for its seasonal influx of prickly patients, which may not survive their winter hibernation without the charity’s help.

Asha Park, fundraising manager, said: “Hedgehogs become very vulnerable during the coming weeks as they try to gain weight and search for a suitable hibernation site.

“Bonfire structures or leaf litter piles provide ideal hibernacula habitats for sleeping hedgehogs.

“We are desperately urging people to please be more aware of hedgehogs before lighting any community or at-home bonfires.”

Anyone planning a bonfire is urged to not construct it until the day, or to surround it with chicken wire, not net, if it needs to be built beforehand.

Before lighting the bonfire people are asked to check thoroughly for any signs of sleeping hedgehogs by lifting the edges up with a broom handle and shining a torch.

Brent Lodge cared for more than 2,000 casualties over its busiest summer season yet – and all without its usual team of volunteers due to the coronavirus pandemic.

For more information visit www.brentlodge.org

---

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.