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Old 18-11-2005, 07:33 PM
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Tragus Tragus is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 351
Re: Designing for Wildlife

There are MANY hazards for wildlife from carelessly thrown away litter, and Hedgehogs in particular are prone to getting 'stuck' in quite a few life threatening places.

Tin cans are a huge problem, people throw them in the dustbin bags unwashed and uncrushed and along comes old spiny and sticks his head in for the leftovers. Once his head is in the spines dont allow him to pull his head back out and ol' hedgy is left to starve.
ADVICE.... wash out all tin cans then crush them flat sideways under a heavy boot or shoe

Strawberry netting, tennis court netting, football netting all hazards for Badgers, Hedgehogs, tawny owls, well just about anything really. When not in use roll them up and put them away.

Drain covers left off - a death trap for all small mammals and birds.

Cattle grids - when you are out on your walks , check just in case a hedghog has fallen in and can't get out. A small plank of wood allows ramp exits for all mammals stuck in them.

The plastic that holds together cans of beer, etc, ducks are notorious for getting these stuck on their beaks. If you see them pull them to pieces and bin them.

Rubber bands dropped by the postman..pick them up and break them, these are forever getting stuck on Hedgehogs. Don't ask me how!!!! Also can be swallowed by various creatures.

The weirdest things we have removed from a swans crop during surgery is a pair of mens underpants!!!!!!
And a lesser black backed gull even regurgitated an old condom for us in care!

Basically the message is ....Everything litterwise is a hazard to any small creature. Keep Britain tidy and creatures safe by picking it up and taking it home for the dustman

These are just a few of the hazards for wildlife, I could go on but I think I'd bore you all to death

Tragus
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