Remember, remember wildlife on the fifth of November

Watch our new animation, created by 15 year old Elmo Dunford and find out simple ways to keep your garden wildlife safe from bonfires this autumn.

• Try to build your bonfire on the day, so that wildlife doesn’t have a chance to creep in. If you’ve already made yours, move it just before lighting to a clear area of the garden to allow any wildlife to move away.
• Check and double check the pile before lighting using a torch and broom handles to lift the bonfire up. Listen carefully for any signs of life, any wildlife that is found should be moved to a sheltered location away from the bonfire.
• Light the bonfire at one side rather than all around the base, so that wildlife has a chance to escape.
• Don’t burn everything in your garden. Leave some logs and old leaves piled up elsewhere in the garden to give hedgehogs, frogs and toads an alternative winter home.
• Make sure the bonfire is out and safe before leaving it.

If the worst happens and you find some injured wildlife, please contact a wildlife rescue service as soon as possible.