AN appeal has been launched to help protect dormice on Exmoor.
Numbers there and in many other parts of the country are in decline so, to help reverse this, CareMoor for Exmoor is aiming to raise funds for 150 dormouse boxes at three woodland sites in Exmoor National Park.
CareMoor is the park authority’s donation scheme which enables people to contribute to the upkeep of the park’s environment.
Philip Kiberd, CareMoor’s funding officer, said: “We already have some dormouse boxes on Exmoor and know that they are being used, but over the years they become damp and we need to replace them and put up many more.
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Dormice are one of the world’s most ancient mammals and although their numbers have halved in the UK over the past 100 years, they are still found on Exmoor, a nationally important habitat for the species.
“Maintaining a good dormouse population is particularly important as they are an indicator of the health of the environment in which they live,” said Philip.
Donations are welcome online via www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk or by cheque to CareMoor for Exmoor, Exmoor National Park, Exmoor House, Dulverton, Somerset TA22 9HL or at any National Park Centre.