Wildlife

Wild Dormouse UK Decline and Habitat

The hazel dormouse has declined by 50% in the UK since 2000, with habitat loss and climate change driving population collapse.

Key Facts

Hazel dormouse numbers declined from an estimated 1.5 million to under 700,000 since 2000
Dormice require connected woodland with hazel understorey for food and nest sites
Hibernation from October to April makes dormice vulnerable to winter disturbance
Predation from grey squirrels and great spotted woodpeckers affects nest success
Nest box schemes in suitable woodland provide alternative nesting sites and enable population monitoring

Welfare Considerations

Dormice disturbed from hibernation expend critical fat reserves and may not survive to spring. Habitat fragmentation isolates small populations that cannot recover from local extinctions. Nest box schemes that provide alternative nesting and enable population monitoring represent practical individual welfare and conservation interventions.

What You Can Do

Support People's Trust for Endangered Species dormouse nest box programmes
Advocate for hedgerow and woodland connectivity in agricultural and development planning
Donate to dormouse conservation organisations
Report dormouse sightings to the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme