Dozing dormouse found in abandoned helium balloon

A hibernating dormouse was rescued after being found fast asleep in an old helium balloon caught in a tree.

The tiny creature was discovered by an Essex Wildlife Trust officer during a litter-picking campaign in woodland north of Halstead.

It was in a torpid state, meaning a sleepy hibernation which they go into in colder weather as a survival strategy, the trust said.

The dozy doormouse was returned "to a safer habitat to continue its snooze", the trust said.

Dormice are found in Africa, Asia and Europe and are known for their long hibernation periods.

Conservationists believe dormouse populations have collapsed 70% in the last 25 years in the UK, becoming extinct in 14 counties, due to habitat loss.

But the little one found in a tree hopefully has a chance of survival.

The Essex trust said Nicky Payne, its area officer for north west Essex, was working with volunteers when they saw the deflated helium balloon.

When they removed it "they felt the torpid dormouse, who was thankfully unharmed... and relocated the little dormouse into a safe habitat".

A spokeswoman for the trust said on Facebook: "Dormice usually opt for cosier leaf piles or nest in logs on the ground to stay warm.

"The risk of litter, like this balloon, includes entanglement and injury and we want to avoid that.

"Our nature reserves are managed so that dormice have safe places to sleep and won't miss this balloon."

The trust added: "Litter is an ongoing threat and it's examples like this that remind us to keep taking action."

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