More than 25 new shelters for endangered small mammals
In Seeheim-Jugenheim, more than 25 so-called dormouse boxes were hung up to support the highly endangered garden dormouse.
The project was implemented jointly by the municipality, the municipal works department, and the Darmstadt-Dieburg Landscape Conservation Association. The aim is to provide the nocturnal small mammal with additional refuges and, at the same time, to learn more about its distribution.
Decline in stocks in Europe
The garden dormouse prefers to live in structurally diverse gardens, hedgerows, orchards, and along forest edges. For hibernation, it uses natural hiding places such as tree hollows or piles of stones.
As these habitats increasingly disappear, the animal's population has declined by more than half across Europe in the past 30 years.
New habitats through dormouse boxes
The installed dormouse boxes now offer additional shelter for the garden dormouse in the Seeheim and Malchen region. At the same time, regular monitoring provides new insights into the species' distribution in the Darmstadt-Dieburg district.
The measure was made possible through financial support from the district and coordinated by the landscape conservation association.
Tips for protection in your own garden
Private individuals can also contribute to the protection of the garden dormouse. This includes creating natural gardens with hedges and deadwood, avoiding pesticides, and preventing open water sources.
In addition, special nesting boxes can be installed to create extra places of retreat.
(BERGSTRASSE – RED/PSS)
