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15 October 2008
One of Britain’s best loved, but most elusive mammals - the hazel dormouse - is back in the Yorkshire Dales National Park following a successful re-introduction project. It is 100 years since the creatures - made famous in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland - were last recorded in the Park.
In a joint bid by conservation organisations* to reverse a drastic population decline, 35 dormice were released into Freeholders’ Wood near Aysgarth in June this year.
The latest peek into the nest boxes has revealed astounding success. Despite the very wet summer, 58 dormice, including well grown youngsters, were found in the 195 boxes.
Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England said: “Dormice numbers have dropped dramatically due to a decline in their ancient woodland habitat. The rich mix of coppiced hazel trees, honeysuckle and bramble in Freeholders’ Wood makes it an ideal habitat for a healthy dormouse population.
“So much more can be achieved through working together and sharing our knowledge and experience. Each organisation had an essential role in this successful re-introduction”.
Dr Tim Thom, Senior Wildlife Conservation Officer from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority said: “The reintroduction has exceeded all our expectations. The hard work put in by all of the people involved in the partnership has been rewarded by the large numbers of young dormice found in the boxes. The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority is proud to have helped to reverse the decline of this charismatic mammal and is also working with neighbouring landowners to increase the amount of woodland available to our newest arrivals so that they can spread throughout the area.”
“We are delighted that the first nest box check has gone so well and that the dormice have been reproducing”, said Laura Hurt, Conservation Officer at the People’s Trust for Endangered Species. “This is the third reintroduction that we have done in Yorkshire and this one has all the signs of success. It is very exciting.”
The dormice were bred in captivity by the Common Dormouse Captive Breeders Group and given a full bill of health before release by Paignton Zoo and the Zoological Society of London.
“By carrying out disease risk analysis and health screening we aimed to ensure that the health of these dormice and the health of the surrounding ecosystem will be protected and will be a safe haven for dormice and other species in the future” said Dr Anthony Sainsbury, Lead Veterinarian, Species Recovery Programme Health Surveillance Project, Zoological Society of London.
Staff from the People’s Trust for Endangered Species and Paignton Zoo placed the dormice in mesh cages attached to hazel trees within the wood. The dormice were fed by staff and volunteers from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. After ten days, openings were made in the mesh to allow the dormice to explore.
Freeholders’ Wood is a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserve which is being carefully managed by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority to give the dormice the best possible new start.
Dormice numbers have dramatically declined in most parts of the UK, mainly due to the loss and deterioration of their ancient woodland habitat. The dormouse Biodiversity Action Plan aims to return them to areas of the country where they have been lost.
*The reintroduction is one of sixteen in England over the last 15 years and is a collaboration between Natural England, People’s Trust for Endangered Species, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, Common Dormouse Captive Breeders Group and the Zoological Society of London.
Notes to editors
For interviews with dormice experts, quality photographs of dormice including those taken on the day of release contact:
Nick Oldham, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Media Officer on 01756 751616 media@yorkshiredales.org.uk
orNatural England national press office 02079322234 or Emma MacDonald in the Regional press office on 07900 608073 emma.macdonald@naturalengland.org.uk
orLaura Hurt, Conservation Officer, People’s Trust for Endangered Species. 020 7498 4533
Dormice
This elusive, tiny mammal was immortalised by Lewis Carroll in Alice in Wonderland and is known by its long bushy tail and sparkly black eyes. It could easily fit in a small teacup.
An additional briefing note with more technical information about dormice 
and this project are also available.
Natural England works with the People’s Trust for Endangered Species to provide an ongoing programme of funding, coordination and monitoring of the dormouse recovery project . Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings. www.naturalengland.org.uk
The Yorkshire Dales National Park is one of 14 National Parks in the UK. It is administered by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, the purposes of which are "to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage" and “to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the park”. In carrying out these purposes, the Authority has a duty “to seek to foster the economic and social well being of local communities.”
People’s Trust for Endangered species
The Peoples Trust for Endangered Species is a UK conservation charity created in 1977 to ensure a future for endangered species throughout the world. Working to protect some of our most threatened wildlife species and habitats, it provides practical conservation support through research, grant-aid and educational programmes, including wildlife surveys, publications and public events. It places a special focus on British mammals and coordinates the National Dormouse Monitoring programme. www.ptes.org
Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity: our key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats. ZSL runs ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, carries out scientific research in the Institute of Zoology and is actively involved in field conservation in over thirty countries worldwide. www.zsl.org
Common Dormouse Captive Breeders Group is a collection of organisations and individuals dedicated to the captive breeding of the common dormouse for conservation purposes.
