Operation Baby Dormice Rescue - 2017

Baby dormice from across Kent’s woodlands are being rescued as ‘Operation Dormice Baby Rescue’ enters full swing this week. These precious little babies, perhaps Britain’s most endangered species are being cared for by dedicated volunteers and urgently rushed back to Wildwood Trust’s Dormouse Rescue Centre. The Wildwood Trust conservation team are mounting a round the clock effort to welcome the dormice babies, some as little as 6 days old, and ensure their survival this winter. A similar story has unfolded for many years as dormice sometimes have a second litter in late summer but if the weather becomes cold and wet the chances of survival for the late babies are very small. This is perhaps one of the many wildlife calamities that could pan out as global warming effects the wildlife of Britain. But from this tragedy comes a ray of hope, Wildwood Trust's conservationists provide the warmth, sustenance and specialist care to keep these babies alive throughout the winter. These animals then enter our conservation breeding centre and their offspring form part of our efforts to reintroduce them to woodlands across the UK where they have gone extinct. The Wildwood Dormouse Rescue Centre is the biggest of its kind in the UK and the Canterbury based charity are very proud of their efforts in rescuing and breeding dormice for release.