Ella Janousek asks Moray Council to change leaves-clearing policy to save hedgehogs
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A CARING pupil from Anderson’s Primary School has persuaded Moray Council to take more care of animals when working outdoors.
Ella Janousek (10) contacted the local authority when she discovered a dead hedgehog after maintenance workers had cleared leaves from Grant Park.
She said: “I walk across the park every day to get to school. The council were blowing the leaves into piles over a couple of days, but didn’t collect them until a few days later. It was after that I found the hedgehog on my way to school where a pile of leaves had been earlier by the entrance on St Leonard’s Road. I felt sad when I saw it was dead. It must have thought it was a good spot to hibernate, but then got cold when the leaves were taken away.”
Ella discovered that hedgehogs shelter under leaves from nature programmes on TV including Autumnwatch, Springwatch and Winterwatch.
She said: “I have learnt where they like to sleep, what they like to eat and that they are endangered.”
Her mum Helen was proud of how she reacted to the find.
She said: “Ella wrote to the council off her own back. We got a great response a few weeks later, and have since seen their staff blowing leaves and collecting them on the same day!”
In his reply, acting lands and parks officer, Grant Speed, thanked Ella for her diligence.
He said: “I was saddened to hear that you found a hedgehog where we had left leaves piled for a few days. I will ask our staff to ensure that when they are clearing up leaves to ensure any piles created are removed on the same day to reduce the likelihood of hedgehogs crawling under.”
Ella was pleased with the response, she said: “It made me feel proud, because I am helping animals and little beasties. I hope Moray Council keep their promise and always do it this way.”
