Rare Hazel Dormouse Discovery in Pembrokeshire Ignites Conservation Hope

A hazel dormouse, a species considered rare, has been located in Pembrokeshire. This finding within the national park has instilled renewed optimism among conservationists regarding the species’ potential recovery in the area. The small rodent, characterized by its prominent eyes, has experienced a 70% population decrease across Britain since the year 2000 and is identified as one of seven vulnerable mammal species in Wales. As part of a conservation initiative within the park, volunteers deployed nesting boxes and “got lucky” when they discovered the notably quiescent dormouse flourishing in a previously unrecorded location. Prior to this, years of population reduction had confined the dormouse’s remaining habitat within the park to Pengelli forest, an ancient oak woodland, and a separate forest situated close to the Pentre Ifan Neolithic site. Park conservationist Mary Chadwick stated, “We were looking at linking up those known important sites… and to see if those populations were isolated.” She further explained, “We have a licensed dormouse volunteer who was happy to take on another site and put out the boxes,” noting that dormice may take several years to utilize such boxes if their existing forest environment already provides suitable nesting locations. Chadwick concluded, “We got lucky this year.” Dormice were observed nesting within Nevern woodland, an area approximately five miles (8km) to the west of Pengelli forest. Ms Chadwick remarked, “It was wonderful confirmation of what we’d hoped… that there would be dormice throughout the Nevern valley, making them able to spread and connect with other dormice.” She added, “It gives us hope for the species if it is able to move around the landscape and have the genetic diversity for the species to remain healthy in the long term.” “We are asking farmers and land owners to cut their hedgerows less enthusiastically… maybe on alternate sides every year,” she urged, concluding, “That would be much better for our dormice.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.