IVth International Conference on Dormice (Rodentia, Gliridae)

CONSERVATION OF DORMICE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (DORMICE MUSEUM)

Mınato, S.*, Wakabayashı, M.**, Kashıma, T.** & Kanamorı, M.***

* 434 Kaminagai, Kumanogawa, Wakayama, 647-1201, Japan, e-mail: yamane@ripnet.or.jp

** Kiyosato Educational Experiment Project, Dep. of Environmental Education, 3545 Kiyosato, Takane, Yamanashi, 407-0311 Japan

*** Aichi University of Education, Dep. of Biology, 1 Hirosawa, Igaya, Kariya, Aichi, 448-0004 Japan

The Japanese dormouse, Glirulus japonicus, is a protected species designated as a Natural Monument.

Road development in forest areas threatens forest animals because it divides their habitats, making it more difficult for them to obtain food and reducing suitable nesting sites.

In 1993, the Yamanashi Prefecture Road Construction Public Corporation planned to construct a toll road passing through a forest inhabited by many dormice. We requested that a tunnel be built to avoid dividing the forest. As a result, the Corporation agreed to change the original plan, and a tunnel was constructed under a part of the forest at a cost of about 800 million yen (approximately 6.5 million dollars). However, in winter the Corporation constructed a road through another part of the forest, isolating one section. We protested and demanded that they provide a dormouse pathway (i.e., a dormouse bridge).

In 1996, during the 3^rd International Conference on Dormice held in Croatia, we discussed a design for a dormouse bridge with Dr. P. Morris, Dr. P. Vogel and Dr. R. Juskaitis. On the basis of various suggestions that were made, a dormouse bridge with the following features was designed and constructed:

(1) Wire mesh was used for the main span of the bridge to protect dormice from their natural enemies such as owls.

(2) The floor was covered with wood planks to prevent headlights of vehicles passing beneath shining directly into the bridge at night.

(3) Nest boxes were

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