Legal Status

The Hazel Dormouse has widespread protection across the world, interestingly it is not protected under the CITES agreement, the only Dormouse listed being the Garden Dormouse from Tunisia, but that has also been removed from the database.

In the UK the Hazel Dormouse has been protected since 1988 by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The act lists the the Hazel Dormouse (Dormouse) on Schedule 5,  making an offense to intentional kill, injure, taking possession or control (live or dead animal, part or derivative) or damage to, destruction of, obstruction of access to any structure or place used by a scheduled animal for shelter or protection or disturbance of animal occupying such a structure or place or selling, offering for sale, possessing or transporting for the purpose of sale (live or dead animal, part or derivative) or advertising for buying or selling such things.

There have been many ammendments and additions to law including the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW) that strengthen the protection of Wildlife and Habitat in the UK. One of the latest being, the 2007 European Habitats Regulations amendments, removing  the ‘incidental result of an otherwise lawful operation’ defence, and the defence that enabled certain actions to take place to prevent serious damage.  These defences were removed to bring the Habitats Regulations more into line with the EU Habitats Directive.

In the UK it is also listed under Schedule 2 of The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994

The Hazel Dormouse is listed both on the European Habitats Directive in Annex IVa and Appendix 3 of the Bern Convention.

The information provided on this page is just an outline, if you need definitive advise you must speak to a qualified professional competent in Wildlife Law, I would recommend your first call is to your local Wildlife Trust.

Links to Applicable UK Law.

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994

The Countryside and Right of Way Act 2000

Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)

Latest News

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Kiln Meadow Saved!

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Urgent! Save Kiln Meadow!

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