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Devon Teens Breed Mice for Wild Release
7 Oct
Summary
- Two teenagers are leading a project to breed and release harvest mice.
- Children aged 8-13 can apply to become 'citizen captive breeders'.
- The project aims to release 250 mice by September 2027.
A pioneering conservation initiative in Devon, named Wild Pets, is actively seeking young 'citizen captive breeders' to aid in the revival of the endangered harvest mouse. This project, spearheaded by 14-year-olds Eva Wishart and Emily Smith, aims to engage children aged 8 to 13 in the crucial task of breeding these tiny mammals.
The project builds on the founders' own successful efforts, where they bred hundreds of harvest mice and released them onto a local nature reserve. Maternal nests have since been discovered, indicating successful wild breeding. This success has garnered support from experts and organizations, including ecologist Derek Gow and the Devon Environment Foundation.
Participants will receive training and a pair of harvest mice, along with necessary equipment. The children will then breed the mice over the summer, with a collective goal to release 250 by September 2027. The initiative is designed to combat feelings of anxiety about environmental issues by empowering young people to take tangible action.
Wild Pets intends to expand its conservation model to include other small native species in the future, such as common lizards and stag beetles, with ambitions to inspire a nationwide conservation movement.
