Sint-Truiden (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Sint-Truiden is helping the endangered garden dormouse by placing 15 dormouse boxes in Haspengouw. They are working with Koen Bamps from Natuurpunt vzw to study and protect these animals. Mieke Claes, the Animal Welfare Alderman, highlights their natural importance.
The garden dormouse, a large and colorful rodent with a long, fluffy tail, has been listed as endangered in Flanders since 2014. Sint-Truiden is now working to protect this species, which is declining mainly due to the loss of suitable habitats, resting and breeding sites, and a reduced food supply from fewer insects.
How is Sint-Truiden helping the endangered garden dormouse?
The city council is teaming up with Koen Bamps, a volunteer from Natuurpunt vzw, to help garden dormice. They have bought 15 dormouse boxes near fields in Haspengouw, which are perfect for these animals because they have lots of plants and shrubs for food and hiding. This project will also start a longer study on how dormice behave, helping to protect them and gather useful information for other areas in Belgium, says Animal Welfare Alderman Mieke Claes (N-VA).
Natuurpunt will study dormice, and after that, the city will keep an eye on them and maintain their boxes. Mayor Ingrid Kempeneers said dormice are important for nature in Sint-Truiden and that it’s their job to protect this endangered species.
