Paignton Zoo Environmental Park is helping to coordinate conservation efforts for one of Britain's best-loved creatures.

Hazel dormice have been reintroduced in woodland at a secret location in Yorkshire by a partnership that includes Paignton Zoo, the People's Trust for Endangered Species and Natural England, as well as registered private breeders.

Paignton Zoo, famous for its conservation work with exotic species such as black rhinos and Sumatran tigers, is also involved in work to save British wildlife.

Although also known as the common dormouse, it is far from common, and is now a protected species in the UK. Curator of Mammals Neil Bemment is Chairman of the Common (hazel) Dormouse Captive Breeders Group, which breeds animals for the English Native Species Recovery Programme. Senior Head Mammal Keeper Julian Chapman manages the studbook and also assists with coordinating the programme.

In total 35 animals were released into the wild in June. The method used is called a soft release; cages are placed in woodland and supplementary feeding is provided to help the animals establish themselves. Staff from the PTES identified the site in Yorkshire as being an area of suitable habitat but with no dormice currently present. The secret site will be monitored for the rest of the summer.

While for this particular release only two animals were bred at Paignton Zoo - the rest were reared by other members of the CDCBG - they have all had health checks and been micro-chipped either at Paignton Zoo or London Zoo.

Neil Bemment said: "This is extremely rewarding work, with animals born at Paignton Zoo and others from private breeders being released into the wild as part of a successful Natural England Species Recovery Programme. This is the eighth year of our involvement and reflects our commitment to working with like-minded organisations for the good of native species."

The species has disappeared from half its former range in the last century due to habitat destruction and fragmentation. Since the Zoo became part of the project in 2000, 118 dormice have gone through Paignton Zoo for release. Monitoring shows that many have bred successfully in the wild.

Paignton Zoo is a registered charity. For more information go to www.paigntonzoo.org.uk or ring (01803) 697500.

Further information

Paignton Zoo is a member of the British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquariums (BIAZA). BIAZA represents its member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums. For further information please telephone 020 7449 6351.

Philip Knowling
Press Officer
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park & Living Coasts
Totnes Road
Paignton
Devon
TQ4 7EU

Telephone: 01803 697568
Fax: 01803 523457

www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
www.livingcoasts.org.uk