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Hedgehog Lobby Sways McD's

German group convinces giant to replace McFlurry lids that trapped spiky critters

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 27, 2008 2:26 PM CST
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(Newser) – Under fire from environmental groups in Germany, McDonald's plans to replace lids on its McFlurry dessert so as not to threaten hedgehogs—which were getting their heads trapped in the lids and starving to death, Der Spiegel reports. "We needed to find an opening that was big enough for a spoon but small enough that a hedgehog could not get inside," a spokesman said.

In the end, the company went with a design that is already used in the UK for the same reason—the result of complaints from the British Hedgehog Society. The smaller-mouthed lids are set to debut within a few weeks—lucky for the hedgehogs, which could emerge from hibernation earlier than usual this year due to warmer weather.

The McDonald's McFlurry lid has become an unintentional trap for hedgehogs in Germany, leading the company to consider a redesign.
The McDonald's "McFlurry" lid has become an unintentional trap for hedgehogs in Germany, leading the company to consider a redesign.   ((c) shrk)
There hasn't been a scientific study on the matter, but anyone who has driven down the autobahn and seen all the litter can understand why these discarded McFlurry cups would be a hazard for hedgehogs, said one observer. People have called us reporting many cases where they found a hedgehog...
"There hasn't been a scientific study on the matter, but anyone who has driven down the autobahn and seen all the litter can understand why these discarded McFlurry cups would be a hazard for hedgehogs,"...   ((c) Zunami)
The McDonald's McFlurry is seen here, without lid, in this promotional photo. Tests have been conducted considering the average size of hedgehogs -- we needed to find an opening that was big enough for a spoon but small enough that a hedgehog could not get inside, said Alexander Schramm, a...
The McDonald's "McFlurry" is seen here, without lid, in this promotional photo. "Tests have been conducted considering the average size of hedgehogs -- we needed to find an opening that was big enough...   (mcdonalds.com)
McDonald's has just begun introducing the new small-mouthed lids earlier this month, which should be available in all stores in Germany within weeks, just in time for the animals reemergence from hibernation.
McDonald's has just begun introducing the new small-mouthed lids earlier this month, which should be available in all stores in Germany within weeks, just in time for the animals reemergence from hibernation.   (Shutterstock.com)
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Homepage of the powerful, insidious German hedgehog lobby
Pro Igel

... and of the German environmental group helping the cause
Friends of the Earth Germany (BUND)

 
Germany • McDonald's • starvation • hedgehogs • McFlurry • Friends of the Earth Germany • British Hedgehog Society

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