A DEVASTATING drop in numbers has seen Britain’s only native dormouse living on the edge after a massive 51 per cent drop in its population.

In the last 20 years, the hazel dormouse has dramatically dropped in numbers – and now a University of Cumbria PhD student is investigating how climate change is affecting the minute mammal.

The study’s aim is to aid reintroduction programmes, which include bringing the hazel dormouse back to northern England.

Keswick-based student Rachel Findlay-Robinson explained the tiny rodents – no bigger than 8cms long and weighing about 20 grammes – were traditionally seen across England and Wales.

According to State of Britain’s Dormice 2019 report, over half the population has disappeared in the past 20 years and the hazel is now extinct in 12 English counties. She said: “A big 72 per cent decline occurred between 1992 and 2014.

“Since 2000, numbers have carried on decreasing by around 3.8 per cent every year.”

Finding fame through Alice in Wonderland, both in the book and Disney film, the hazel dormouse has long captured hearts as being a cute shy, sleepy little creature.

She added: “My research will improve our understanding of how climate change is likely to affect hazel dormouse populations and whether we can modify the current reintroduction programme in response.

“For instance, the majority are in the south where winters are warming faster than the north.

“As dormice hibernate in winter, a process closely linked to air temperature, it is possible that warmer conditions will not be good for them.

“Also, because dormice seldom travel more than 70 metres from their nest and don’t like crossing open spaces, it is unlikely they would be able to expand their range northwards alone and need help through reintroduction programmes.”

Hazel dormice will feature in a forthcoming four-year National Lottery Heritage Fund ‘Back On Our Map’ project to reinstate threatened species.