With Halloween just behind us we would like to gently remind people that pumpkins should not be left in the park once the festivities have concluded, nor indeed any green space.

Over recent years we have seen an increase in social media posts encouraging people to feed wildlife with left over pumpkins as well as an increase in the amount left within the park. Whilst, of course, they are left with the best of intentions, such actions pose a very real threat to wildlife. Any food item that is not part of a natural diet has the potential to cause harm in a variety of ways, however, more specifically pumpkins are extremely problematic for the already threatened hedgehog.

Hedgehogs have to lay down considerable fat deposits in order to survive hibernation and unfortunately pumpkin acts as a laxative which results in a loss of condition. A loss of condition at this time of the year is extremely unlikely to be reversed, especially in hoglets, often leading to death during hibernation.

Pumpkins also pose a significant choking hazard for our wild ponies! If you have left over pumpkins you might what to consider offering them to a local animal rescue centre or alternatively leave them in a high location in your garden for birds and squirrels to enjoy for a few days, though remember to remove them before they begin to rot!