Myths and wrong beliefs never seen to end. As one falsifies one myth, another has already cropped up. Now a new myth has emerged about Halloween pumpkins. What is this new myth? And why is it bad?
Halloween pumpkins and the new myth
Halloween is a day that marks the end of summer and harvest. It is the start of the cold and dark winter days. It falls on 31st October every year. On this day, people have a lot of fun activities such as costume parties, food parties, carving pumpkins or turnips into lanterns, having bonfires, games, pranks, and entertainment.
Halloween pumpkin (Source: Freepik)And now there is a new myth surrounding Halloween pumpkins. It says that these pumpkins that are carved into jack-o-lanterns should be left in woodlands. People believe that it could serve as food for birds and other wildlife animals. Though this idea has some good intention behind it, it is a misguided and dangerous belief.
The Woodland Trust and Forestry England
The Woodland Trust and Forestry England are concerned about this new trend that people are adopting about the pumpkins they carve on Halloween day. It is a dangerous practice and can affect the wildlife negatively. Those animals poorly hit by this practice include hedgehogs, badgers, birds, and foxes. This could lead to some serious problems in these innocent wildlife beings including death.
Pumpkins are fiber rich. On eating the pumpkins left by revellers in the woods, the hedgehogs can develop loose motions and stomach upset. This could lead to severe dehydration in them.
Halloween pumpkins in the woodlands (Source: Yahoo movies UK)The department states that it is likely that around 8 million pumpkins would thus be put to use this year. If left in the forest, it could harm the animals there instead of helping them.
What experts say?
The department has warned people to not listen and follow any tips or online information that says to put the used pumpkins in the woody areas. Kate Wollen, assistant ecologist at Forestry England has this to say:
“We see many posts on social media encouraging people to leave pumpkins in the woods for wildlife to eat, but please do not do this.”
“Pumpkins are not natural to the woodland and while some wildlife may enjoy a tasty snack it can make others, such as hedgehogs, very poorly.”
Halloween pumpkins is dangerous for wildlife (Source: BBC)She continued:
“Feeding pumpkins, or any other food in the forest, to birds, foxes, badgers, deer, and boar can make them unwell and can spread disease.”
“Pumpkins are also often decorated and have things such as candles in them. Animals eating the pumpkins could then eat a foreign object and this could kill them.”
Paul Bunton, the engagement and communication officer at the Woodland Trust adds:
“But pumpkin flesh can be dangerous for hedgehogs, attracts colonies of rats and also has a really detrimental effect on woodland soils, plants and fungi.”
Read more: Easily make Roasted Pumpkin Soup (Creamy and Healthy)
Instead, the department urges people to turn it into compost or bin it or make a soup of it. One can also donate it to zoos, animal shelters, farms and community gardens where they will put it to proper use with no dangers.