ONE of the county’s best-loved creatures is at risk of dying out unless urgent action is taken.

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT) is warning that hazel dormice are clinging on for survival and has launched a fundraising appeal to help these special animals.

The number of hazel dormice has plummeted by 72 percent in the last 20 years. They depend on carefully managed woodland and hedgerows, but these special habitats are in decline.

GWT, a charity which manages 60 nature reserves around the county, needs to carry out vital work and buy resources in order to help hazel dormice survive.

If enough funds are raised, experts at GWT will be able to buy and install 300 nest boxes for dormice and start vital woodland management tasks at its nature reserves around Gloucestershire, including Stroud Valleys (Siccaridge Wood and Strawberry Banks near Sapperton) and Wotton under Edge (Lower Woods and Midger Wood).

Chief executive at GWT, Roger Mortlock, is desperate to prevent the dormice from becoming extinct in the UK.

“Dormice are already extinct in seven English counties, and the population is fragmented and vulnerable here in Gloucestershire with numbers continuing to decline,” said Roger.

“That’s why we want to protect Gloucestershire’s dormice and to help halt their decline, but we need help to do this.

“Managing woodland for dormice takes skill and expertise from our volunteers and staff team. At GWT we’re determined to do all we can to protect these animals before it’s too late.”

Work to install the nest boxes will need to begin this winter while the dormice are hibernating and before they start searching for food in the spring.

In order for this work to be possible the charity must raise £30,000.

Grundon Waste Management Ltd has promised to match fund the appeal, so for every £1 donated by members of the public, the company will match it, up to £15,000.

To donate to the Dormice in Danger appeal and to find out more about the charity’s work in the places where dormice live, visit gloucestershirewildlifetrust/dormice or call 01452 383333.