The hazel dormouse has declined by 70% in the UK and faces welfare threats from loss of interconnected woodland habitat, loss of hazel coppice, and the effects of warmer winters disrupting hibernation.
Dormice are highly specialised mammals whose welfare is intimately tied to ancient woodland ecosystems. Habitat fragmentation prevents them from moving between woodland patches, isolating populations and reducing food security. Loss of hazel coppice management removes the dense shrub layer they depend on for foraging and nesting. Warmer winters cause dormice to emerge prematurely from hibernation, burning fat reserves without adequate food available, causing starvation stress. Road casualties during dispersal are a documented mortality cause. Translocation for conservation requires careful welfare protocols to minimise capture stress.