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Getty ImagesLidl has eliminated hedgehog huts from its shops after a hedgehog conservation group raised security considerations concerning the product.
The hedgehog huts are described as a “pure shelter for hedgehogs” and appropriate for “feeding, shelter and nesting”.
But a hedgehog rescue charity claims that hedgehogs can freeze and grow to be trapped within the hideouts.
Lidl mentioned it had been promoting the product throughout Europe for a variety of years “with no reported points concerning security”.
The hedgehog hideout is a small igloo formed hut with a wire body, with a layer of canvas and a wicker fashion exterior.
A label on the product describes it as a “snug winter shelter” and “quiet housing shielded from the wind”.
Andrea Cowan, who runs Loughgall hedgehog rescue in County Armagh, has rescued greater than 500 hedgehogs previously six years.
After the huts appeared within the Lidl’s well-liked “center aisle” earlier this week, she raised her considerations with the shop.
She described the huts as “surprising dying traps” in a put up on the rescue’s Facebook web page.
“They serve no goal so far as hedgehogs are involved, in truth they’re harmful and sadly many hogs have perished due to them,” she alleges.
“They supply zero safety from the climate and in instances the hogs have frozen to dying as a result of damp inside has frozen their nesting materials.
“The metallic cage inside has repeatedly trapped hedgehogs as a result of their spines get caught leaving them to starve to dying.”
Lidl mentioned: “All merchandise we promote adjust to all EU and National Regulation.”
Speaking to BBC News NI Ms Cowan mentioned that wildlife rescues have been making an attempt to get merchandise like this banned from sale and has known as for extra regulation.
“There are not any legal guidelines round merchandise like this and individuals are free to make them,” she mentioned.
“We’ve seen them on the market in different shops earlier than and normally as soon as we clarify our considerations to administration they normally take away them from sale.”
BBC News NI requested Lidl for a response to what was mentioned within the Facebook put up.
A spokesperson for Lidl in Northern Ireland mentioned the shop had lately launched the product throughout 41 shops in Northern Ireland.
In a press release they mentioned the product had “been bought in Lidl shops throughout Europe for a number of years and has proved exceptionally well-liked with prospects, with no reported points concerning security.
“Lidl takes animal welfare extraordinarily significantly and all merchandise we promote adjust to all EU and National Regulation. Prior to being stocked by Lidl in any of its shops, this particular product was topic to stringent SGS testing to make sure all high quality and compliance requirements had been met.
“However, we take all suggestions and considerations acquired concerning merchandise on sale in our shops significantly, together with suggestions acquired about this product from an area hedgehog rescue organisation. As a precaution, now we have eliminated the product from our shops in Northern Ireland this afternoon whereas we proceed to hunt professional recommendation on the matter.”
