Conservationists Attempt To Bring Back The Hazel Dormice

The hazel dormice, once common across Britain, have experienced a big drop in numbers in the past twenty years. Over 70% of their population has fallen nationally, mostly due to habitat loss of places to live in, such as woods and hedgerows, which lowers their chance of survival. The species is now extinct in 20 English counties.

Earlier this week, in an attempt to bring back the nearly extinct species, secret woodland location in Leicestershire. In the neighboring area of Derbyshire, dormice were released into the National Forest in the hopes that the two groups would meet up and form a larger dormice population. To help them adapt to their new environment, the dormice will first be housed in open enclosures for about seven days before being released fully.

Ian White, from People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), one of the organizations that released the dormice, said that this could be an important step in restoring the dormice population.

“It’s a big day for the county, as dormice haven’t been seen here for a very long time,” Mr. White said. “We’re hopeful that by autumn, the dormice will have settled into the woodland. If we start to see litters later this year, it will mark the beginning of their return.” (Explain evidence here)

The release of dormice into Leicestershire and Derbyshire marks an important step in bringing back a species from the brink of extinction. If the efforts of conservationists truly pay off, then it could signal the start of a much-needed comeback for endangered species.