First garden dormice born in Tallinn Zoo released on Pakri Island
Eight garden dormice, born this year at Tallinn Zoo, were released on Pakri Island as part of a population restoration program. The species has not been seen in the wild in Estonia for 30 years.
Tallinn Zoo has released the first eight garden dormice born in captivity onto Pakri Island, aiming to restore the species' wild population. The rodents were last observed in Estonia's nature three decades ago.
The dormice originate from the Netherlands and were brought to the zoo. This spring, new enclosures were installed, creating more favorable conditions for breeding. As a result, 28 pups were born this year. On Friday, the first eight were ceremonially transferred to Pakri Island, with 12 more to follow in August.
Auli Veske, a zoologist at the University of Tartu, noted that the animals' lives will change completely: different environment, new food sources, and climate. In the zoo they lived in enclosures; now they must adapt to weather quirks. The island also has predators they need to learn to coexist with. Veske said there's no certainty how it will go, but they will monitor and hope for the best.
Besides predators, the cold Estonian winter will be a serious test. During hibernation, the dormice must find shelters among rocks, tree hollows, or underground burrows. Veske hopes at least a few will survive the first winter, but there is no guarantee. The first year will help assess survival and determine if adjustments are needed.
Pakri Island was chosen because it has few residents and virtually no economic activity. The dormice won't have to constantly hide from cats and dogs, giving them a better chance to recover their population.
Kaupo Heinma, director of Tallinn Zoo, compared the effort to the ongoing European mink program, where offspring are released on Saaremaa Island. He hopes the dormice will start breeding in the wild, but that will take time. If offspring appear, support may no longer be needed, but initially the zoo will continue its role.
