Tiny 'vulnerable' dormouse rescued from Sussex lawn

A tiny hazel dormouse has been rescued after being found "immobile and vulnerable" on a lawn in Sussex.

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) said they believed the dormouse was accidentally disturbed while hibernating and then dropped in Bexhill, leaving him at "serious risk from the cold, dehydration, and predators".

Hazel dormice are a protected species in the UK and are rarely seen by the public as they are nocturnal and spend much of their lives hidden in hedgerows, woodland, and scrub.

"This little one was very lucky to be found when he was," said WRAS founder Trevor Weeks, who is helping to care for the small creature at the WRAS Casualty Centre.

"Dormice are incredibly vulnerable, especially during colder periods," he added.

The dormouse was initially taken to Bexhill and Hastings Wildlife Rescue and Sanctuary, where he was gently warmed before WRAS volunteers transported him to their Casualty Centre in Whitesmith for further care.

The dormouse will remain at the centre while he recovers and will be released back into the wild once conditions are safe and the weather permits.

WRAS recommends that if anyone finds a small mammal that is cold, unresponsive, or out in the open, they should seek advice from a wildlife rescue as soon as possible and avoid attempting to care for the animal themselves.

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