Walkers in the Yorkshire Dales have been asked to be on their guard after a baby dormouse was recently crushed to death.

The national park authority has asked visitors to stay away from nesting boxes after the body of a young dormouse was found near Aysgarth Falls.

The tiny rodents have just been reintroduced to the area, and are thriving, but the young mouse appeared to be the victim of someone illegally interfering with one of the boxes in Freeholders’ Wood.

Dr Tim Thom, senior wildlife conservation officer with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “Dales volunteers have just completed the final nestbox check on the dormice now living wild in Freeholders’ Wood after their successful reintroduction earlier in the summer and 28 were found which shows they are still doing well.

“Unfortunately, one of the baby dormice was found dead with a crushed skull in an illegally opened nestbox. We believe that someone has probably accidentally dropped the box lid on the head of the dormouse when closing it.
 
“There are only two YDNPA staff who are trained and licensed under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to open these boxes to monitor the dormice and this is done under rigorous scientific conditions to high animal welfare standards. 

“We know when the boxes have been opened by someone else and this dead animal demonstrates the real danger that this illegal activity poses to the dormouse.
 
“Freeholders’ Wood is a publicly accessible site which is visited by large numbers of people, most having a love and respect for the wildlife around them.”

The nesting boxes are attached to trees in the wood.

Dr Thom continued: “I am sure that it is sometimes tempting to take a peek into these boxes but I would urge people not to and help us to help the dormouse make a successful comeback to the Yorkshire Dales. 

“We hope to hold an event next year to celebrate this comeback and give people the chance to learn more about the Dales dormice. In the meantime, let’s all leave them to sleep the winter away in peace.”

Walkers who spot anyone looking into the boxes are asked to let national park centre staff at Aysgarth know, or ring the park authority on 0300 456 0030.