In Saint-Ange-et-Torçay (Eure-et-Loir), Romain Cassaigne, farmer and veterinarian, raises angora goats but also very small adorable critters: micromys minutus. "It's the smallest rodent in Europe, but not the smallest mammal," he says. The measurements of the beast are scary: 6 grams (by comparison, a mouse weighs 25 grams), for 5 to 7 centimeters.
The quadra has created the Micromys 28 association and is trying to reintroduce the rodent into natural spaces. "This species is cute. We play on his sympathy capital. » Objective: to find communal land, those of companies or individuals to promote biodiversity. "The tour of a shed in an industrial area, it would be very fine, part of a communal park, too, or the roadside and around the interchanges. " The rodent lives in permanent high meadows, that is, it needs tall grass, never mowed, because it does not live in burrows but weaves nests in height, like birds. "So he gets crushed with each mowing or mowing machine," explains Romain Cassaigne.
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"Rat des moissons" is the French name for this tiny mammal. A nickname that sticks negatively to his hair. "It has never been classified as a pest*. It does not go in crops or houses, unlike voles or field mice. It feeds mainly on aphids," insists the breeder. With the dozen members of the association, "I wanted to invest in the protection of biodiversity".
Victim of insecticides and systematic mowing
Romain Cassaigne has been maturing the project for more than ten years. "People are interested in reintroduction. But reintroducing an extinct species is useless if you do not change its environment. The use of insecticides, the systematic mowing or mowing of any "open" ground and the omnipresence of the domestic cat are the main causes of the disappearance of micromys minutus. "It was previously present throughout the department. It has only been observed 4 times in the last fifteen years. »
"It is good for the environment," says the defender of biodiversity, "since it is an umbrella species that protects many others, such as certain insects and birds, such as the preyer sparrow, the wheat quail, the goldfinch, or the tartar." It should not be forgotten that this rodent is also a prey for predators that are not doing well, such as, in particular, the owl.
"Already four releases have taken place. The results are encouraging"
Romain Cassaigne, farmer and veterinarian
In his sheepfold farm, Romain Cassaigne raises 250 small critters. "We use mesh wooden crates to grow up, to feed them, and then we release them." Already four releases have taken place, notably in Torçay, Dreux, Marsauceux and on the side of La Chaussée-d'Ivry. "The results are encouraging. A photo trap allowed us to take 1,400 shots of individuals in seven days, says the breeder. 30 rodents were released at the beginning. Although the exact number cannot be known, the species is doing well. »
The association is looking for volunteers to recruit land, monitor releases and reintroduced populations, prospect on the remaining populations but also make release boxes. "The project is supported by the French Office for Biodiversity, OFB 28, the Natural History Museum of Besançon, the Dreux agglomeration, and several scientists," says Romain Cassaigne.
The association's website: micromys28.fr and the email address: micromys28@yahoo.com
* The term "pest" has been replaced by "species of animals likely to cause damage", or "ESOD"
