Following the successful reintroduction of rare hazel dormice in Nottinghamshire last year, People’s Trust for Endangered Species are releasing 21 breeding pairs into another nearby wood, as part of our national programme to help this endangered species survive.

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Despite their once widespread existence throughout much of England and Wales, the range and population of the dormouse has diminished significantly over the past 100 years, and the species is now rare and vulnerable to extinction.

£12 could feed a pair of dormice while they find their feet in the big wide world
£25 could provide training for a volunteer to keep a check on how the new population is settling in
£100 could help us make a release cage to protect the dormice from predators while they acclimatise in the wild

Following a recent review of dormouse reintroductions by Natural England, our co-funders, PTES has carefully selected an appropriate release site this year, clustering it closely with last year’s location. Habitat such as woodland and hedgerows will be improved between the two sites so that as the two separate populations establish themselves in their respective woodlands, they will later have the opportunity to disperse and eventually join up. This will enhance the chance of long term viability for dormice in Nottinghamshire. The Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust actively manages the woodland where the dormice are being released.

This year marks our 24th dormouse reintroduction at 19 different sites, with more than 750 dormice released across 12 English counties over the last 21 years.

Please help dormice today by making a donation to support this urgent work. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far.