What does bonfire night mean for wildlife?
Bonfire night for many is a time to meet with friends, enjoy firework displays and sit around a warm fire. However, it is also important to remember local wildlife during these festivities. From larger animals, like hedgehogs and birds, to amphibians and insects, these species can be significantly affected by the noise, lights and potential litter created from these events.
However, being considerate to the wildlife around you does not mean you can’t enjoy yourself this bonfire night, there are simple changes you can make to protect our favourite critters during this period.
How can you protect wildlife this bonfire night?
The best way to prevent harm to wildlife is to build any bonfires on the day you plan to light them. During this time of year as the nights get colder and darker, more animals are beginning to prepare for hibernation and frequently take shelter in quiet, woody areas. A bonfire, made with logs, wood and leaves, is the perfect location for animals to take shelter in, but once set alight can quickly become dangerous. By building the bonfire on the day, you can ensure no wildlife has access to the space before lighting.
If you are unable to build the bonfire on the day, it is important to lift and check the bonfire in multiple places before lighting it. Using a large stick or broom, but never a garden fork or similarly sharp object, lift sections of the pile to gently encourage any sheltering animals to leave the area. If any animals are found, using a thick pair of gloves, move them to a quieter spot in your garden with lots of trees or dense shrubs. If you think the animal may be injured or hurt in any way, contact a local wildlife sanctuary who can advise what may be best in this situation.
Protecting wildlife around bonfires also extends to your actions afterwards. Wildlife may try to eat litter left behind such as used fireworks, sparklers or other rubbish or cause an animal to become entangled and trapped. It is also important to ensure the bonfire is fully extinguished and dismantled, to discourage wildlife seeking shelter within the dangerous materials left behind.
If you have the space, why not try to build a hibernaculum in a quiet area, to shelter hedgehogs, frogs and other wildlife.
Why is it important to protect our wildlife on bonfire night?
Some of our favourite species, like hedgehogs and birds, are the most vulnerable this time of year. These animals often try to look for areas of warmth and shelter, which can sometimes be a bonfire.
Hedgehogs are an endangered species and have experienced significant decline over the last 30-50 years. It is estimated that the decline has been as high as 70% in some areas of the UK since the year 2000.
The current estimated population of hedgehogs is 879,000, but only 30 years ago it was estimated at 1.5 million.
It is our duty to protect wildlife, like hedgehogs, on days where they are most vulnerable and at risk, to avoid losing anymore of our prickly pals.
Whilst we all have fun this Bonfire Night, please think about the wildlife around you and how your actions may affect them at this time of year.
Lily-George is currently in her third year at Harper Adams University studying Environmental Land Management and is undertaking a placement year with the Estates Team at Trustgreen. After placement, she shall be returning to university to complete her final year of study in September 2025.