CAREFUL disposal of a Halloween staple is being urged to prevent the death of hedgehogs.

Sustaining Dunbar’s Pledgehog Project is giving advice on the best way to deal with any unwanted pumpkins that have been transformed into lanterns.

Jen Walker, Pledgehog officer, highlighted that the fruit could be fatal to hedgehogs.

She said: “Many people believe that they’re helping wildlife by leaving unwanted pumpkins on the ground to be eaten or decompose, but sadly it can be fatal to hedgehogs.

“A hedgehog’s natural diet is to eat meat and insects but, when they come across pumpkins, they are tempted by the sweetness.

“Too much of this rich food then can cause bloating and diarrhoea which can then easily cause dehydration and death.”

Instead, members of the public are urged to put pumpkins into the food waste caddy or to put them in a compost heap.

It is essential that the pumpkins are high enough off the ground so that hedgehogs cannot reach them.

Jen highlighted that hedgehogs were now classed as being at risk of extinction in the UK.

She said: “Autumn is a crucial time of year for hedgehogs to eat enough food to put on the vital weight needed before winter.

“If they become unwell from eating pumpkins then they’re unlikely to survive hibernation. 

“I urge you to dispose of them in a hedgehog-friendly way to avoid this danger.”

The Pledgehog Project, which featured on BBC’s Landward earlier this year, has been funded throughout 2024 by Viridor, SafeDeposits Scotland and Belhaven Brewery.

There is now additional funding to run in 2025 until April from the Hugh Fraser Foundation.

To find out more about the Dunbar Pledgehog Project, go to sustainingdunbar.org/projects/the-pledgehog-project