Rare dormice get a check-up before their release

STORY: A group of rare British dormice have

health check-ups at the London Zoo

before their release into the wild

They're vulnerable to extinction, so researchers

are working to restore their population

(Dr. Elyse Summerfield-Smith, Wildlife veterinarian)

"During the health check, each dormouse has a ten-minute appointment with one of our expert wildlife vets. During this time, they have a full MOT, nose to tail. We check their ears, eyes, teeth, skin, and fur, and we also weigh them and take some measurements. We also place a microchip so that we can track them after they're released."

The dormice will be released soon

at a secret woodland location in Britain

as part of a program to reintroduce

native species to habitats around the UK