Hedgehogs warning over bonfires

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A Devon wildlife group is asking people to check bonfires for any hedgehog nests after five baby hedgehogs were found in a pile of garden debris.

The five hoglets were found in a compost bin in Barnstaple and taken to the Cullompton Wildlife Care Centre.

Doreen Williams from the centre said - with 5 November approaching - many people may have hedgehogs nesting in their prepared fires without realising.

"It takes just a short time to check," she said.

"Hedgehogs love it when people gather wood and garden debris piles as it is ideal for them to bury into and late mums will often use as a nest site and give birth," she added.

The hoglets will stay at the centre until the spring

The five hoglets - who are now two weeks old - will stay at the centre until the spring when attempts will be made to find a foster home for them.

Mrs Williams said that contrary to general public belief, hedgehogs are not all in hibernation.

"In fact in this part of the country some don't hibernate at all as it is not always cold enough and if they can still find food."