The safety of hedgehogs inspired McDonald's in Germany to change the lids of their popular McFlurry dessert after several of the small animals died from becoming trapped in lid holes.

As it turns out, the problem was also significant enough in the U.K. to convince the mega-chain to introduce new "hedgehog-friendly" lids there in 2006. The fate of the hedgehogs in Germany resonated with residents of the country, in which the animals are highly cherished. BUND, a prominent environmental group in the country, first contacted the company and alerted them to the problem two years ago. Though no exact figures are known, the organization estimates that over 100 animals perished after becoming stuck in the containers and starving to death.

The new lids are designed with flaps to cover the opening. McDonald's representative Alexander Schramm claims the new design makes sense and did not cause any hassle for the company, nor was it meant to be a promotional tool.

"This was not a marketing campaign. It simply did not involve big financial and organizational measures to make the change," Schramm says.

Sure, there was no marketing motive behind the new lid design. On the contrary the folks at McDonald's probably loved one of their desserts being a leading cause of hedgehog-related deaths.

» MSNBC