Designing for Wildlife

[StuartDH]

Nicola from gardenwildlife.co.uk has just sent me this info about Hedgehogs getting trapped in McD's McFlurry cups.

http://gardenwildlife.co.uk//phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=237

I'd never seen this before and was wondering if anyone knows of other bad designs that cause similar problems for wildlife?

[Tragus]

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

[nightshade]

plastic pop bottles, I released a mouse from one not long ago

[henrya]

Any bottle, plastic or glass (and any drink can), is a potential death trap for mice, shrews and voles. In fact, you can get a good idea of which species are around by stopping at a layby and examining all the discarded bottles and cans you find.

henrya

[Helen]

Excellent post Tragus, some good information there!

[StuartDH]

Definitely some great info there Tragus and it's something that we could use in the future to produce posters for schools on wildlife litter.

While we can't expect people to go round picking up all litter, I don't think too many people would walk past some disgarded netting if they knew the damage that it can do.

Re: my first post, is there anything in the particular design of some products that could be changed to make them safer for wildlife? It would appear that the problem with the McFlurry cups could be easily remedied by a simple design change. Are there any similar products that could better protect wildlife by simply changing the materials or designs that are used to make them - like the changes that were made to fishing weights and beer can connectors.

[henrya]

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While we can't expect people to go round picking up all litter,
Endquote

I don't expect people to drop litter in the first place!

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I don't think too many people would walk past some disgarded netting if they knew the damage that it can do.
Endquote

You have a touching faith in people's good nature, Stuart!

And think of the times you've seen charities (even wildlife ones) organising 'balloon races'.

henrya

[StuartDH]

You're right about the dropping litter in the first place, but I think that the majority probably comes from overflowing public and household bins, rather than people emptying their pockets out.

I'm as bad as anyone when it comes to just walking past others people's litter as I virtually never pick it up, but I think if I spot a rubber band on the floor in the future then I'll certainly take in the advice from Tragus.

[henrya]

Quote
You're right about the dropping litter in the first place, but I think that the majority probably comes from overflowing public and household bins, rather than people emptying their pockets out.
Endquote

Perhaps that's true in urban areas, but it doesn't explain the crisp packets, drink cans and bottles, plastic bags etc etc that end up in my garden (not to mention the huge pile of old window frames and and panes of glass that arrived in my gateway a few years ago). Over the past twenty years or so I could have furnished a house twice over with the stuff I have seen dumped at the roadside on my way to work! And when I cycled, I regularly saw big heaps of dog-ends at the side of the road, where some kind soul had emptied his car ashtray.

henrya