A group of 10 hazel dormice were given a clean bill of health ahead of their release into the wild, the Zoological Society of London (
ZSL) said.Footage released by
ZSL shows veterinarians checking the animals over.The mice weighed in at just around 20 grams and all had their heart and lungs checked with a stethoscope, and their eyes, ears, nose, teeth, and fur examined,
ZSL said.Dormouse populations have decreased by 70 percent nationally since 2000, according to
ZSL.Hazel dormice and habitats
are protected by law in the UK.Through a programme involving
ZSL, Natural England, Paignton Zoo, and others, more than 1,000 dormice have been reintroduced into 25 woodland habitats in 13 English counties since 1993,
ZSL said. Credit:
ZSL via Storyful