Bonfire Night and Wildlife

1. Why is Bonfire Night dangerous for wildlife?

Bonfire Night can be frightening and dangerous for wildlife. Bonfire piles provide shelter for many small animals, and wildlife may crawl inside them while looking for a warm, dry or protected place to hide.

Unfortunately, animals can become trapped inside the materials used to build a bonfire. If the pile is lit without being checked, they may be seriously injured or killed.

Fireworks can also cause distress to wildlife and domestic animals. Loud bangs, bright flashes and sudden vibrations may cause birds to panic and fly into obstacles, while mammals may flee from their usual hiding places and become exposed to traffic or predators.

With a few simple precautions, we can all help make Bonfire Night safer for wildlife.

2. Hedgehogs and bonfires

Hedgehogs are particularly vulnerable during Bonfire Night.

As the weather gets colder, hedgehogs may seek shelter in piles of leaves, logs, branches, garden waste and other materials. A bonfire pile can look like the perfect place to nest, particularly if it has been left undisturbed for several days.

Hedgehogs may burrow deep inside the pile, making them difficult to spot. They may also remain curled up when disturbed, meaning they do not necessarily run away when someone approaches.

If a bonfire is lit while a hedgehog is hiding inside, the consequences can be devastating.

To protect hedgehogs:

• Build your bonfire as close to the time of lighting as possible.

• Never leave a bonfire pile sitting undisturbed for days or weeks before lighting it.

• Always check the entire pile carefully before lighting.

• If possible, dismantle the pile completely and rebuild it immediately before lighting.

• Check underneath and between logs, branches and garden waste.

• Keep bonfire materials away from known hedgehog nesting areas.

Remember that simply looking around the outside of a bonfire pile is not enough. A hedgehog can be hidden deep within the materials.

3. How to check a bonfire safely

The safest approach is to build the bonfire on the day it is going to be lit, rather than allowing wildlife time to move into it.

If materials have already been piled up, do not assume the bonfire is safe just because it has been checked previously.

Before lighting:

1. Move people and pets away from the area while you inspect the pile.

2. Carefully dismantle the pile completely, rather than poking around only the outside.

3. Check underneath and between the materials for hedgehogs and other animals.

4. Use a torch to inspect dark areas.

5. If you discover wildlife, stop and allow time to assess the situation.

6. Rebuild the bonfire immediately before lighting, if appropriate.

Do not use a garden fork or other sharp tool to search through the pile, as this could injure an animal hiding inside.

Never light a bonfire if you suspect an animal is inside.

If you discover a hedgehog or another wild animal, do not throw it away with the garden waste or assume it will escape once the fire starts.

4. What should I do if I find a hedgehog in a bonfire pile?

If you find a hedgehog hiding in a bonfire pile, stop all preparations to light the fire.

• Keep people and pets away.

• If it is safe to do so, prevent the bonfire from being lit.

• Avoid unnecessary handling or disturbance.

• If the hedgehog appears injured, weak, burnt or unresponsive, contact a wildlife rescue or veterinary practice urgently.

• If you need to move it out of immediate danger, seek advice on safe handling and use suitable protection if advised.

If a hedgehog has been burnt, it needs urgent veterinary assessment. Burns can cause severe pain, tissue damage, fluid loss and infection, and injuries may be more extensive than they initially appear.

Do not apply creams, oils or home remedies to burns, and do not attempt to treat a seriously injured hedgehog yourself.

Contact a wildlife rescue or vet before transporting the animal.

5. Other wildlife at risk

Hedgehogs are not the only animals that may shelter in bonfire materials.

Other wildlife that could be affected includes:

• Frogs and toads: may shelter beneath logs, leaves and damp garden debris.

• Mice and voles: may nest within dense piles of vegetation.

• Shrews: may use sheltered spaces in garden waste.

• Birds: may use nearby shrubs, trees or dense vegetation for roosting.

• Invertebrates: insects and other small creatures may live within logs, leaves and branches.

Dismantling a pile carefully and rebuilding it shortly before lighting helps reduce the time wildlife has to move in.

If you find an animal, give it the appropriate space and protection rather than assuming it can safely remain nearby.

6. Fireworks and their effect on wildlife

Fireworks can cause significant disturbance to wildlife, even when animals are not directly injured.

Sudden loud noises and bright flashes may cause birds to take flight in darkness, potentially leading to collisions or exhaustion. Mammals may abandon shelter, become disorientated or move into unsafe areas.

To reduce the impact:

• Consider attending an organised display rather than setting off fireworks at home.

• Avoid setting off fireworks near ponds, wetlands, woodland, hedgerows and other important wildlife habitats.

• Keep fireworks away from trees and shrubs where birds may be roosting.

• Avoid disturbing known wildlife nesting or resting places.

• Never set off fireworks towards animals or wildlife habitats.

• Clear away firework debris safely after the display.

If you have a pond, remember that frogs, toads and other wildlife may be sheltering in or around it. Avoid placing fireworks or bonfires close to the water.

7. What about pets and domestic animals?

Bonfire Night can also be stressful for pets and livestock.

Dogs and cats may become frightened by loud bangs, while horses and other livestock can panic and injure themselves if startled.

You can help by:

• Keeping pets indoors during fireworks where possible.

• Providing a quiet, secure hiding place.

• Closing windows and curtains to reduce noise and flashes.

• Ensuring pets are safely contained and cannot bolt through open doors or gates.

• Keeping dogs on leads during walks when fireworks may be taking place.

• Checking that livestock fencing and enclosures are secure.

Never take a pet to a bonfire or firework display unless the environment is specifically suitable and safe for them.

8. Choosing safer alternatives to a bonfire

You can still enjoy the seasonal atmosphere without putting wildlife at unnecessary risk.

Consider alternatives such as:

• Attending an organised firework display.

• Using battery-operated lanterns or outdoor lights.

• Creating a seasonal display without burning garden waste.

• Leaving suitable garden areas undisturbed for wildlife.

• Composting garden waste where appropriate, after checking it carefully for animals.

If you are planning a bonfire, remember that burning garden waste can also produce smoke and air pollution. Check local rules and make sure any fire is managed safely.

9. Can CapesWildlifeRescue help?

CapesWildlifeRescue provides advice and assistance for selected wildlife cases, subject to our facilities, capacity and the animal's condition.

If you find wildlife in a bonfire pile:

• Contact us before attempting to bring the animal to the rescue.

• Tell us which species you have found and whether it appears injured.

• Explain whether the animal has been exposed to heat, smoke or flames.

• If the animal has burns or is struggling to breathe, seek urgent veterinary assistance.

Please do not arrive at the rescue site without prior authorisation. All admissions must be discussed and authorised in advance.

If you discover a seriously injured animal, do not delay urgent veterinary care while waiting for a response from a wildlife rescue.

10. Help us protect wildlife this Bonfire Night

Bonfire Night should be enjoyable for people, but it can be a dangerous time for the animals living alongside us.

A few minutes spent checking a bonfire properly could save a life. Building the pile immediately before lighting, checking it thoroughly and keeping fireworks away from wildlife habitats are simple actions that can make a real difference.

Please remember: check before you light, protect wildlife from fireworks, and never assume a bonfire pile is empty.

Let's make this Bonfire Night safer for our wildlife.