The hazel dormouse is the only native British dormouse and is one of the country's most rapidly declining mammals. Its conservation welfare involves protection from habitat loss, road mortality, and disturbance during hibernation.
Dormouse welfare centres on three critical periods: the active season food supply, the hibernation period safety, and freedom from habitat disturbance. Disturbance during hibernation is particularly harmful as torpid dormice cannot respond effectively and energy expenditure to restore normal temperature may be fatal. The highly specialised habitat needs of dormice mean that habitat loss causes local extinctions with very limited potential for natural recovery. Conservation action that restores and connects suitable woodland and hedgerow habitat is the most impactful welfare intervention.