The Bedford Estates, LondonIn late 2022 we welcomed a group of small (but perfectly formed) new residents to the Park - a nest of harvest mice that moved to Woburn from a zoo collection in Glasgow!
Despite being an iconic feature of the British countryside, the population of these tiny creatures has dwindled in recent years, to the point where they are considered a UK BAP (Biodiversity Action Plan) species that needs conservation plans and intervention to help slow the decline and rebuild numbers.
In Scotland - where the Woburn harvest mice are from - they are actually listed as Critically Endangered.
Experts think that one of the reasons the species may have become threatened is changes in agricultural practices and land use resulting in habitat fragmentation.
This was famously illustrated by Scotsman and poet Robert Burns in his iconic poem 'To A Mouse', where a ploughman accidentally disturbs a nest of mice and reflects on what it means to feel and be threatened as part of everyday existence.
As people all around the world come together in January to celebrate the life and poetry Robert Burns, Deputy Head of Animal Encounters Catherine Doherty talks about this iconic poem, and how the future might be looking a little brighter than Burns depicted for this remarkable rodent.
See them on your next Safari adventure...
Harvest mice are small and quick, and can often be seen scurrying back and forth amongst the leaves and tall grasses, or jumping around the various logs and ropes in their enclosure.
Look out for them between the bush dogs and red panda enclosures when you explore the Foot Safari!
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