The 1,000th hazel dormouse will be reintroduced to the UK this week.
Wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species, Natural England and the University of Cumbria have been working on the project and 15 breeding pairs or trios of rare hazel dormice will be released into an undisclosed woodland location in the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Dormouse reintroductions have taken place annually since 1993, but the dormice reintroduced this month are part of a wider species recovery programme, Back On Our Map.
Led by the University of Cumbria and Morecambe Bay Partnership and supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, BOOM aims to reinstate 10 locally threatened or extinct native species back into the area, including hazel dormice.
Hazel dormice have declined by a 51 per cent since 2000 and considered extinct in 17 English counties.
Ian White, dormouse and training officer at PTES, said: “Reintroductions are crucial to the long-term recovery of many species, but particularly hazel dormice as their decline has been so dramatic.
“Our first reintroduction took place in 1993, so we are thrilled that this year we’re releasing our 1,000th dormouse. This is a great milestone for conservation and a huge moment for hazel dormice in Lancashire too, as there are no known populations currently living there.”
Jo Sayers, BOOM project manager, University of Cumbria, added: “Dormice have long captured the hearts of everyone after finding fame through Alice in Wonderland, but despite their popularity they are incredibly rare, so it’s time to take action.
“This is the first of two hazel dormouse releases planned for the Arnside and Silverdale woodlands, and we hope by next summer there will be around 80 dormice living in our woodlands.”
How are dormice reintroduced into woodland?
Dr Deborah Brady, research fellow at the University of Cumbria, who is managing the reintroduction for BOOM, said: “Once the dormice arrive they are placed into mesh cages that mirror the woodland.
“The cages are filled with the right mix of foliage, buds, berries, nuts, insects and water, and this is where the dormice will live for the first 10 days.
“Each cage is connected to a tree, so the dormice become acclimatised to their new surroundings.
“Our local volunteers will check each cage daily and will also act as monitors over the next two years to ensure all the dormice remain healthy.”
After 10 days, the cage doors are opened to allow the dormice to explore their new home. In due course, when the dormice no longer need them, the mesh cages will eventually be removed.
PTES, Natural England and the University of Cumbria are aiming to co-ordinate a further two dormouse reintroductions in the area in June 2022, in partnership with the National Trust, the RSPB and the Arnside and Silverdale AONB.
