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- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
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- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
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- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
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- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
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- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
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- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
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- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
- Close
- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
- Close
- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
- Close
- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
- Close
- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
- Close
- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

Meet Paul Tillsley: dormouse monitor

In this series, we chat to the dedicated staff members, conservation partners and volunteers at PTES. We find out why each of them chose a career in wildlife conservation, what they find rewarding about their work and what they love most about what they do.

Paul Tillsley

Dormouse monitor in Somerset and Devon

Tell us about yourself and the site you monitor

I’ve been fortunate to spend the last 23 years working full-time managing wildlife reserves that belong to the League Against Cruel Sports.

Many people are surprised to learn the League owns nature reserves, but they’re really special places for wildlife. I monitor six sets of 50 boxes on four sites, all on League reserves around the Exmoor area in Devon and Somerset.

How long have you been monitoring for?

After taking a Mammal Society dormouse course in Cheddar, I was lucky to find that Tina Donnelly (a local monitor who also bred dormice in her greenhouse as part of the captive breeding programme for the annual reintroductions) lived nearby. Tina let me shadow her so I could gain my licence in 2006. Since then I’ve been monitoring dormice on my own sites.

What’s the most memorable day you’ve had looking for dormice?

I’ve had two very memorable days in the past couple of years. Last winter, we put up 50 new dormice boxes in a wood that Sir Paul McCartney bought for the League, some 30 years ago. The wood was originally dominated by conifers, but we’re gradually converting it to native broad-leaved trees. It was so gratifying to open one of the new boxes in May this year to find three sleepy dormice inside.

The other incident was at a different site, last summer, and rather less pleasant. As I peered into one of the boxes, a swarm of very angry hornets flew out and started stinging my head. I think I broke the record for the 100-metre dash through woodland that morning!

Describe your woodland and what challenges you encounter there

The woods that I monitor are all very different from one another. One is a remnant Atlantic temperate rainforest, another is a plantation on ancient woodland site (PAWs), the third is a strip of scrub which borders a fir plantation on a rewilding project, and another is a young wood that was planted almost thirty years ago. They all have their challenges, whether it’s fighting the dense banks of brambles or balancing on steep, slippery slopes; or, on one occasion, disturbing a very disgruntled red deer stag.

Tell us something about you we wouldn’t expect from a dormouse monitor

When I’m not working, I enjoy taking photos of wildlife, trail running in the countryside, and – for a change of scenery – going to music gigs and festivals.

Can you help us reintroduce more dormice to the wild?

Donate today

Header image credit Wildlife Outdoor | Shutterstock.com