A worrying rise in social media posts, suggesting that people leave their Halloween pumpkins in the woods to feed wildlife after October 31, has made wildlife experts concerned. Thousands of pumpkins are discarded in woods across Britain. While well-meaning pumpkin carvers might think they are doing the local animals groups a kindness, leaving your leftover jack-o’-lantern in the woodland is actually doing more harm than good.
“A myth seems to have built up that leaving pumpkins in woods helps wildlife, but behind it are many hidden issues.” said Paul Bunton, engagement and communication officer at The Woodland Trust, according to The Telegraph.
One of the main issues is that the leftover of the Halloween pumpkins are often eaten by already struggling hedgehogs(刺猬). In early November, hedgehogs are looking to gain as much weight as possible to survive their winter hibernation. However, eating pumpkin is harmful to their little hedgehog stomachs, leading to diarrhea and dehydration. This means they may struggle to put on weight, and in some cases can even be fatal.
Moreover, leftover Halloween pumpkins can contain candles and plastic decorations which can also be fatal to wildlife if mistakenly eaten. The rotting leftover can also attract less popular wildlife, such as rats, to an area. According to The Woodland Trust, the additional nutrients in the pumpkins can negatively affect the soil balance as well. “Pumpkin flesh can have a really harmful effect on woodland soils,plants, and fungi(真菌),” Bunton pointed out.
So what should you do with your beautifully carved pumpkin creation after October 31? Most experts recommend composting (堆肥) it yourself at home if you can, or asking if a local farm will accept it as a donation. You could even try some scientific experiments to produce more energy from the throw-away wasted. Either way, the hedgehogs will thank vou.
【小题1】What does the underlined word “discarded” mean in paragraph 1?| A．Processed. | B．Recycled. | C．Deserted. | D．Preserved. |
| A．To enjoy the sweet food. | B．To fill their stomachs. |
| C．To prepare for the winter. | D．To improve their health. |
| A．The additional nutrients in the leftover pumpkins. |
| B．The damages of candles and plastic in the pumpkins. |
| C．The attraction of the rotting leftovers to some wildlife. |
| D．Further explanation of the effect of leftover pumpkins. |
| A．Stop leaving your pumpkins in the woods. |
| B．Keep your beautiful pumpkin creations at home. |
| C．Feed the hedgehogs with the leftover pumpkins. |
| D．Bury the pumpkins leftover deep under the ground. |
