The nature conservation organization Pro Natura has named “Animal of the Year” for 24 years. Usually it is an animal that is confronted with special challenges, for example with declining populations, dwindling habitat or other dangers. This year the choice fell on the garden dormouse, a nocturnal rodent that is only found in Europe.
Pro Natura justifies the choice of the garden dormouse with the fact that the rodent is dependent on diverse forests with dead wood, tree hollows and similar natural areas – forests that are becoming increasingly rare in Switzerland. As agriculture becomes more and more intensive, the rodent’s replacement habitats are also declining. More interesting facts about the garden dormouse can be found in the large Blick special.
Test your knowledge of endangered species!
The garden dormouse is not the only animal that has to struggle with difficult living conditions in small-scale Switzerland and therefore seems to be on the decline. We have put together some questions about other threatened and endangered animal species to put your knowledge to the test. Test your knowledge, here!