The Dormouse Hollow

Dormouse Conservation


Lithuania's Nature Reserves for Dormice:

Contribution by Dr. Rimvydas Juškaitis ©: Institute of Ecology, Akademijos 2, LT-2600 Vilnius, Lithuania

The majority of localities in Lithuania where the fat dormouse occurs are in protected areas. Three zoological reserves were established for the protection of this species in Lithuania.

Strosiunai Theriological Reserve and Rumsiskes Theriological Reserve

In 1991 two reserves - Strosiunai theriological reserve (area of 188 ha) and Rumsiskes theriological reserve (area of 280 ha) - were established by local authority of Kaisiadorys district (Central Lithuania). The aims of these reserves are to protect populations of the fat dormouse, their habitats (mature mixed oak-woods), and animal communities living there. Special "Rules of Forest Protection and Use" are applied in these reserves. Both these reserves are introduced in the booklet "Reserves for dormice".

Juškaitis R., Malinauskas V., Dementavicius D. 1997. Reserves for dormice. Vilnius. 24 pp. (in Lithuanian).

The booklet presents the history of discovering the fat dormouse in Lithuania in the 20th century. The biology of this species is described. The questions why and how fat dormice have to be protected are discussed. Another dormouse species living in both reserves, the common dormouse, is introduced briefly.
The Strosiunai and Rumsiskes theriological reserves are described comprehensively: forest stands of reserves, mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, dormouse research, means of protection etc. Restrictions of forest use and economical activities as well as prohibited activities in these zoological reserves are presented.

Semeniukai Zoological Reserve / Neris Regional Park


Neris Regional Park was established in 1992, and it covers the environs of the Neris river near the Vilnius town. This regional park is important in zoological respect because it holds three localities for fat dormice out of the eight known in Lithuania. In the Neris regional park, the Semeniukai zoological reserve was established for the protection of fat dormice (this species is included in the Red Data book of Lithuania).

There are three localities for the fat dormouse in Neris regional park, which covers the environs of the Neris river near the Vilnius town. Semeniukai zoological reserve was established for the protection of fat dormice in one of these localities.

A booklet introducing to dormice in Neris regional park was published in 1999. This booklet (in Lithuanian) introduces to dormice in Neris regional park. The history of discovering the fat dormouse in Neris regional park and the biology of this species are described. Another dormouse species, living in the regional park, the common dormouse, is introduced briefly. Necessary measures for protecting the species and forbidden activities in the territory of the Semeniukai zoological reserve are presented.

Address: Neris Regional Park
Dukstu g-ja, Adomtiskes Dukstu pastas
Dukstos 4047 Vilniaus rajonas
Lithuania
Tel.: (370 - 2) 599224

Contact: Dr. Rimvydas Juškaitis: Institute of Ecology, Akademijos 2, LT-2600 Vilnius, Lithuania

Photos © Rimvydas Juškaitis