Home / Environment / Victorian Pest: Dormouse Invasion Costs UK Thousands
Victorian Pest: Dormouse Invasion Costs UK Thousands
27 Aug
Summary
- Edible dormice, introduced in 1902, now number around 23,000.
- They damage trees by stripping bark, harm fruit crops, and eat bird eggs.
- Land managers receive £40 per hectare to control this invasive species.
An accidental introduction of edible dormice in 1902 has escalated into a significant invasive species issue in the UK. By 2018, their population was estimated at 23,000, primarily in the Chiltern Hills. This rodent, native to continental Europe and Asia, causes considerable damage by stripping bark from trees, harming fruit crops, and predating on bird eggs and chicks.
The UK government acknowledges the ecological and economic harm caused by these invasive non-native species. Consequently, a Countryside Stewardship scheme offers land managers £40 per hectare each year for a decade to manage and reduce dormouse populations. This initiative aims to protect native habitats and species from the impacts of these rodents.
Controlling edible dormice is strictly regulated, requiring specific wildlife licenses to ensure humane practices and prevent harm to native protected species like the hazel dormouse. Management includes targeted trapping and culling from May to August. Land managers must adhere to strict protocols for checking traps, dispatching animals humanely, and disposing of carcasses responsibly.
