Hazel dormice have declined severely in Britain due to woodland habitat loss and degradation, and the welfare of these small arboreal rodents is affected by both conservation management and climate change.
Wild dormouse welfare is primarily threatened by habitat inadequacy and climate change. Dormice waking from hibernation during warm winter spells expend energy reserves that are critical for surviving the remainder of winter, causing starvation stress if the warm spell is followed by cold temperatures. Fragmented woodland prevents dormice from accessing sufficient food across their seasonal range. Conservation management including coppicing, hedge restoration, and woodland connectivity improvements directly improves dormouse welfare by providing the connected, structured habitat these animals require. Captive dormouse populations maintained for translocation require high welfare standards.