People urged to check bonfires for hedgehogs

People should check bonfires for hedgehogs before they are lit, a wildlife centre says.

The Jersey Hedgehog Preservation Group said a pile of sticks, branches and leaves made a "lovely" home for hedgehogs.

It urged people to build bonfires on the day they would be lit to ensure they did not contain any sleeping hedgehogs.

"They have no real predators in Jersey - except for us humans - and with numbers in decline we really need to be looking out for them," it said.

The warning comes after the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) updated the status of the west European hedgehogs on its red list to "near threatened".

A rescue spokesperson said: "Unlike other mammals, which will run away, our little hogs will curl up in a ball at the first sign of danger.

"If possible, build the bonfire on the day you are setting it alight so that you know no hedgehog has taken up residence.

"Maybe move the pile a few feet over, being careful not to put a fork through a sleeping hog."

Rescuers said fireworks could disorientate hedgehogs and could cause a mother to abandon babies.

"We have had a few youngsters in this week, so we just ask people to be vigilant," it said.

Staff added that a hedgehog was brought into their care last week after it was found with two puncture wounds on its back, believed to be caused by a garden fork.

"The vet sewed up one but the second one has been treated with antibiotics and can be clearly seen," it said.

"Fingers crossed he will eventually recover."

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