40+ Rare Dormice Released Into Leicestershire Woodland

Tiny hazel dormice are making a comeback in Leicestershire, and conservationists couldn't be happier about it.

More than 40 of the rare mammals were just released into ancient woodland at Bradgate Park Trust estate, joining 21 dormice introduced last year. The earlier group has already started breeding, giving hope that these endangered creatures can truly recover in their new home.

The numbers tell a sobering story. Hazel dormice have plummeted by over 70% nationally since 2000. Old woodlands have disappeared, hedgerows vital for their movement have been destroyed, and remaining habitats haven't been managed well enough to support them.

But the good news keeps getting better. When volunteers checked nest boxes last October, they found 46 dormice nests. Between August and September, they counted 26 young dormice, proof that last year's release is working.

"We're hugely encouraged by how well last year's dormice have settled into their new home," said James Dymond, director of Bradgate Park Trust. The breeding evidence is "extremely gratifying" for everyone involved in monitoring the growing population.

The newest arrivals came from partner organizations that breed dormice specifically for reintroduction programs. Each animal received a full health check and spent four weeks in quarantine to ensure they're disease-free.

The release process is carefully designed. Dormice start in mesh enclosures with nest boxes, natural light, foliage, and daily food and water. After 10 days and a final health check, the cage doors open and they're free to explore their new woodland home.

The Ripple Effect

This release is part of something much bigger. Since 1993, the People's Trust for Endangered Species has released 1,163 dormice into 27 woodlands across 14 counties in Britain.

Ian White, dormouse and training officer at PTES, sees the Bradgate Park releases as a stepping stone. The goal is creating a larger, connected population that could eventually span the entire National Forest.

The combination of reintroduction, habitat restoration, and sympathetic woodland management is giving this threatened species a real shot at recovery. What started as alarming decline is turning into a conservation success story, one adorable dormouse at a time.

Leicestershire's ancient woodland is now home to the county's only known dormouse population, and it's growing stronger every season.