The hazel dormouse has declined by 70% in the UK over 25 years, facing habitat loss and climate disruption to its hibernation cycles with significant welfare implications.
Dormouse welfare is closely tied to the quality and connectivity of their habitat and the stability of their hibernation. Climate change presents a new and serious welfare threat: premature waking during mild winter periods causes dormice to burn critical fat reserves without the ability to replenish them, potentially leading to starvation before spring. A dormouse that cannot accumulate sufficient fat before hibernation or cannot complete a full hibernate cycle faces a slow, debilitating death from cold and starvation. Conservation efforts that focus on restoring connected woodland and hedgerow habitats address both population and welfare needs simultaneously. Nest box monitoring programmes help track populations and can identify individual dormice in poor body condition.