The Dating Agency Saving Britain’s Dormice 3496

Hazel dormice have vanished from large parts of Britain, but an ambitious conservation programme is working to bring them back. In this episode we talk to Senior Conservation Officer, Hazel Ryan, to explore the remarkable work of the Wildwood Trust’s dormouse breeding programme described as a “dormouse dating agency”, and follow the journey of 37 young dormice being prepared for release in northern England. We discuss how conservationists carefully match breeding pairs, maintain healthy and genetically diverse populations, and prepare captive-bred dormice for life in the wild. We also examine why hazel dormice have declined so sharply, the importance of connected woodland and hedgerow habitats, and what successful reintroductions can teach us about restoring Britain’s wildlife.