dormouse biodiversity action plan
Dormice are now a protected species in Britain and there are government backed plans to conserve the species. The aim is to ‘maintain, enhance and re-establish dormouse populations within their historic range’. People’s Trust for Endangered Species initiated and coordinates some of the key elements in the hazel dormouse Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). We established the first nationwide monitoring scheme for any British mammal nearly 20 years ago and now hold a comprehensive database of annual data on the UK dormouse population.
Reintroductions of captive-bred animals to counties from which they have been lost have been carried out at 18 sites in 11 counties. We are regularly revisiting the sites with a view to improving the surrounding habitat and linking these woodlands to other suitable habitat, particularly through hedgerow corridors so that the domouse populations can spread.
Encouraging suitable land management and improving habitat more generally is also important so we run a number of dormouse training courses for woodland managers and others looking after the land. For further details please email at enquiries@ptes.org.
