Teenagers launch project to support harvest mice

Two teenage conservationists, who have bred and released hundreds of harvest mice, are trying to get other children to do the same.

Last year friends Eva and Emily released 250 harvest mice into a nature reserve near Tiverton, Devon.

The Wild Pets project aims to recruit 20 children from Devon to help breed harvest mice at home before releasing them into the wild next year with children aged between 8 and 13 able to apply.

Eva said: "It's about creating a network of children all across the county, so instead of them having sad hamsters and goldfish in little cages and bowls, they'll breed native endangered British wildlife like harvest mice."

She said: "You'll have to write 500 words-ish on what you've done previously to help the environment and nature and animals and why you're so passionate about it and make a short video explaining your interests about wildlife."

The 14-year-olds have been restoring harvest mice to the wild for three years.

Britain's smallest rodent - they grow to about 50-70mm - harvest mice tend to live in long grassland, reed beds, hedgerows and around woodland edges.

The Mammal Society classifies them as Near Threatened across Great Britain as changes to farming and land management have reduced their available habitat.

Emily said: "It is so worth it in the long run because you are actually doing your part for the wild.

"It does take responsibility but it is definitely worth the sacrifice."

Speaking about managing the mice and other pets, she added: "As long as you keep the mice in a completely separate room, which has happened to mine, that is fine."

In June, Chris Packham called the Wild Pets a "truly sensational" idea on Springwatch.

He said: "It's so inspirational when young people make it happen. It's so, so important."

Applications can be made via the Wild Pets website.

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