Wanted: children to rear harvest mice at home for wild release in Devon

Eva Wishart and Emily Smith are inviting children in Devon to join a home-breeding project for harvest mice. The aim is to raise and release 250 animals by September, supporting the recovery of the threatened species.

The teenagers previously bred hundreds of mice in garage tanks and released them at a Devon nature reserve. The released population survived, and nests made by female mice were found there this year, suggesting the animals are breeding in the wild.

Wishart started Wild Pets at age 10, motivated by concern for wildlife and the conditions of conventional pets. The project received crowdfunding for its first release and was a runner-up in Prince William’s junior Earthshot competition in 2025.

The organisers are seeking enthusiastic young participants who can take responsibility, with support available. Smith says taking practical steps to help wildlife can ease anxiety about environmental damage.

The first year is intended to involve 20 children, Wishart said, with a wider ambition to encourage conservation nationally the following year. Chris Packham has publicly praised the project; the next milestone is the planned releases by September.