The Wildwood conservation team are mounting a round the clock effort to save some of Britain's most endangered animals from certain death. Last week four tiny baby dormouse where discovered in a pot plant purchased from a garden centre. The tiny babies were taken to the Fur & Feather Wildlife Trust in Folkestone. The Wildwood team, who work with many such animal rescue centres, raced into action and our expert animal carers took delivery of the babies and a now mounting a 24 hour vigil. Unfortunate two of the babies did not make it, showing just how their tiny lives hang on a knife edge but thanks to the skills of the Wildwood Team the remaining two are still with us and we are fighting to save their lives. 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. 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. Hazel Ryan, Wildwood's Senior Conservation Officer said, "We work tirelessly to protect these animals and are proud that we play such a major role to reintroduce the Hazel Dormouse back to areas where they have become extinct. Wildwood is not only one of the leading dormouse breeders in the UK but is also an important centre for research into the behaviour and captive husbandry of the species." "The hazel dormouse is now classed as extremely vulnerable to extinction but through projects such as this, Wildwood hopes to tip the balance back in favour of the dormouse." — at Wildwood

• published: 14 Oct 2013
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