Lisnagra Conservation Group warns against dumping pumpkins in woods

A conservation group has warned the public not to dump pumpkins in Lisnagra Woods after Halloween.

The Lisnagra Conservation Group, which works to protect the Muff woods as a wildlife haven, installed signage before the holiday to highlight the risks pumpkins pose to the local ecosystem.

Despite the warnings and advice from councils to dispose of pumpkins legally and responsibly, the group collected two bags of pumpkins in a single day this week.

In a post on the group’s social media page, a spokesperson said the damage caused by discarded pumpkins is well‑known and there is “no excuse”. They explained that pumpkins can cause severe digestive problems for smaller mammals and can be fatal for hedgehogs.

The group added that pumpkins treated with chemical preservatives, waxed, or containing debris such as sparklers are poisonous, and that rotting pumpkins alter soil chemistry, disrupt the delicate ecosystem, and attract large numbers of animals, potentially spreading disease.

Members are urged to place pumpkins in brown bins or compost heaps rather than leaving them in the forest.

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: Chris F / Pexels.