Mini rope bridges are being created for hazel dormice in one of England’s ancient forests to help them travel safely. Forestry England was forced to fell trees in the Forest of Dean due to Chalara ash dieback, which fragmented habitats for endangered hazel dormice. However, with two 20m-long ladders bridging the gap they can travel safely between treetops once more.
Area ecologist at Forestry England, Kate Wollen told Positive News: “Dormice do not like to come to ground except for hibernation. They feel vulnerable to predators when on the ground and while these bridges don’t replace the trees that had to be felled, they will enable dormice to feel safer as they cross from one part of the wood to another.”
