Endangered Hazel Dormice in the UK

Since the year 2000, the population of rare hazel dormice has decreased by over 70%. To help the endangered species, conservationists have reintroduced 20 dormice in Leicestershire, UK. To help them adapt to the environment, they will be in cages first before being released into the wilderness. Ian White, a dormouse and training officer at the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), said this reintroduction was a “vital stepping [stone] to start a new population of dormice”.

The hazel dormice are endangered due to habitat loss and climate change. This led to a significant decline in the dormice population, resulting in extinction and, in some English counties, extinction.

White also said this step was “part of a long-term effort” to bring the hazel dormice back to Leicestershire and the UK. Hazel Edwards, who was a volunteer for setting up the site, said, “A couple of weeks ago, we started setting up large open cages in the woods so the dormice would adapt. After about 10 days, we’ll open the cages, and they’ll move into nesting boxes we’ve placed nearby. Hopefully, those will become their forever homes.”

Furthermore, conservationists reintroduced the species to the neighboring county, Derbyshire. PTES hopes these two groups of dormice will bring more and more dormice to the area. 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.”

White said, “It took 100 years for numbers to fall – restoring them will take just as long.” Hopefully, the hazel dormice will be thriving in the UK soon.