Shropshire Star

Shropshire hedgehog charity in KFC cups appeal

A charity from Shropshire is taking on the might of global fast food giant KFC – all in the name of hedgehogs.

Published
Last updated

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society, which is based in Dhustone, near Ludlow, wants the chain to change the design of its "Krushem" cups.

It says hedgehogs are becoming stuck fast in cups discarded by customers, and that the problem could be avoided by making the lids smaller.

Talks are taking place between the charity and KFC, which says it is looking to find a "feasible solution".

Fay Vass, BHPS chief executive, said initial talks with KFC had been "encouraging".

It is the second time the society in Ludlow has battled with a fast-food chain after it convinced McDonalds to change the design of its McFlurrys.

The problem doesn't lie with the restaurants, but with the customers who selfishly discard the cups.

Both designs include a large hole that are the perfect size for a hedgehog to become stuck fast.

KFC has agreed to look into the issue and has already asked its engineers to come up with a new hedgehog-friendly design.

Ms Vass said: "The lids on top of the Krushem milkshake cups are large enough for a hedgehog to put its head in but when it tries to pull it out again their spikes get stuck and push back against them.

"It means once they are in they cannot get back out again.

"McDonalds solved the problem eventually by making the cup lids much smaller.

"The lids on the Krushems are about five centimetres wide, which is just big enough for a hedgehog's head.

"We're hoping the size will be reduced to about 3.5 centimetres like the McFlurrys."

Ms Vass said the society had been in touch with KFC about the issue and early conversations had been encouraging.

"It's slow progress but we're hopeful a reduction in size with solve the problem," she said.

"Once the hedgehog is trapped they can die because they cannot get any food and water. Others sometimes drown after walking into ponds because they cannot see where they are going.

"KFC has been in contact and its engineers are looking into making a new design.The changes would not be full-proof but they would certainly make a huge difference, so we're hopeful they are getting there."

KFC spokewoman Rose Cole said the firm was looking at a "feasible solution". She said: "There are no quick fixes but we are looking at ways to address the issue."

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.