Ten Hedgehog Hazards in Churchyards and Cemeteries
5th February 2024
A Call to Protect Our Prickly Friends
Hedgehogs are facing a tough time and their numbers are declining. According to the latest State of Britain’s hedgehogs report, numbers of hedgehogs have fallen by up to 30% in urban areas and 50% in rural areas since 2000
Although cemeteries and churchyards can be welcoming spaces for these prickly and well-loved mammals, there are some hazards that we need to be aware of to ensure they can thrive.
Vases A Hidden Danger for small Hedgehogs: Recent reports to The Hedgehog Preservation Society highlight a concerning trend – baby hedgehogs getting trapped in memorial vases where the lids have come off. Please encourage people to use ones with the covers, replace the covers where they have come off, and remove any broken vases.
Floral Foam: New Ways When ingested floral foam (also known as oasis) can cause stress and potentially harm the digestive system of animals like hedgehogs. Also the toxins from floral foam can leach into water which animals then drink. There is a big movement to stop the use of floral foam in churches, churchyards and cemeteries. There are plenty of alternatives that many florists are embracing for more information visit https://suschurchflowers.com/
Hedgehog Highways: Avoid Blocking Gaps Hedgehogs are known to travel long distances each night. It’s essential not to block any gaps they might be using for their nocturnal journeys. Even small gaps as tiny as 13x13cm can serve as crucial passages for hedgehogs.
Bonfires Nesting in Woodpiles: Woodpiles and brush heaps are enticing spots for hedgehogs seeking cozy nesting sites. Leave these heaps alone in the winter.
Tidying Up Go Steady in Winter: Winter clean-ups can pose risks to hedgehogs, as they may be disturbed during hibernation or while seeking shelter. It is a good idea to wait until late March or April when hedgehogs will be ready to wake and trundle on.
Netting A Potential Snare: Hedgehogs, with their spines and inclination to curl up, are susceptible to getting entangled in netting. This can lead to severe, sometimes fatal, consequences. Proper storage of unused netting, ensuring it is off the ground, and positioning pea netting high enough for hedgehogs to pass under safely are preventive measures.
Chemicals The Silent Threat from Products: Common garden chemicals such as slug pellets, herbicides, and wood preservers pose hazards to hedgehogs. Using eco-friendly products such as physical barriers around tender plants, helps keep hedgehogs and other wildlife safe..
Strimmers, scythes and Mowers: Use with Caution Before using strimmers, scythes or mowers, especially under hedges where hedgehogs may rest during the day, a thorough check is necessary. Compost heaps should also be inspected for nesting hedgehogs before forking them over. The British Hedgehog Preservation Society have free warning stickers that you can display on your tools and machinery – please visit their webpage to find out more.
Ponds Navigating the Water’s Edge: While hedgehogs are adept swimmers, they often face exhaustion and potential drowning when unable to exit ponds. A minority of churchyards and cemeteries have ponds. For those that do making sure one side of the pond slopes gently, or creating a ramp can help them escape. Regularly checking ponds is important.
Litter A Risk to Hedgehog Safety: Litter is a significant threat to hedgehogs due to the risk of entanglement and ingestion. Hedgehogs can become trapped in discarded items such as plastic bags, cans, or packaging materials. Encouraging visitors to dispose of rubbish responsibly and checking memorials for potential hazards such as cellophane wrappers and old wreath rings will help.
Photos courtesy of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS)
By understanding these risks and taking precautions, we can ensure churchyards and cemeteries are safe havens for hedgehogs and other wildlife. It’s up to all of us to protect these lovable creatures in our shared spaces.
