Harvest mouse Gala presents the star of the year November 16, 2022
The Wilderness Watch Program's Harvest mouse competition and the success of the small animal this year have inspired renowned artists, writers who are conservation ambassadors, poets, and musicians, therefore many poems, stories, and songs related to the Mammal of the Year have been published and will be performed at the Magic Mountain. And for those who like to make crafts, the Green Workshop Program will be making a Harvest mouse out of walnuts in the Hall of Giants, while there will also be film screenings, a panel discussion, and the announcement and presentation of the awards for the visual arts competitions. National Park authorities and Conservation organizations will also be present throughout the day, as well as raising awareness of our natural assets through games and educational materials.
Harvest Mouse gala and carnival Programs:
Magic Mountain, Galactic Cathedral
10:40 - 11:00 Welcome and opening ceremony
Zoltán Hanga, spokesman, Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden
Csaba Putz, Deputy Executive Director for Operations and Economics,
Herman Ottó Institute Nonprofit Ltd.
11:00-11:30 The Wilderness watch program and the 30Y presents: Screening of the film "The Cave"
11:30-11:50 Panel discussion on the behind-the-scenes of the film with Aniko Für and László Beck (Zaza), one of the characters in the film
12:00-13:00 Announcement of the results and awards ceremony of the competitions for "A Töpörödött törpeegerek és a Törpeségében óriási"
13:10-14:00 Children's concert by Vilmos Gryllus "Harvest mouses and other things"
14:00-14:30 Premiere of the poem film "Harvest mouses, Filber mouses, Poems "
14:50-15:30 Wilderness exploring; selection of films from the Wilderness Watch Program
Magic Mountain, Hall of Giants
09:00-15:30 Wilderness watch carnival
Invited national park authorities and nature conservation organizations will present exciting games and new programs, with a focus on the Harvest mouse and its companions. Networking: for successfully completing the tasks at the stands, all adventurous visitors can collect stamps on their vouchers, which can be redeemed for guaranteed prizes!
The event is free of charge for all competition winners.
The tiny rodent is the star of the year
The endangered Harvest Mouse weighs as little as a packet of baking powder on a leaf scale. Its evocative scientific name, Micromys minutus, refers to its miniature stature of between 10-15 cm, although half of that is due to its long tail (compared to itself). The mouse's back is a reddish brown, its sides are lighter, and its belly is quite white.
Its population in Europe, including our country, is in decline. This is due to habitat shrinkage, urbanization, and expansion of agricultural land. The event will also draw attention to the conservation of the species' habitat, as it is mainly found in high meadows, water reeds, bushy forest edges, and dense hedgerows. It is rarely seen in the wild because its camouflage and small size can easily blend in with the dense flora. The tall vegetation, reeds and hedgerows, and bushy forest edges make it almost invisible. From spring to autumn, the dense vegetation is home to an artistically designed small nest of grass. Its movement is characterized by its agile, almost acrobatic climbing of grasses, the thinnest branches of hedges and bushes, and even up tree trunks, and it is a good swimmer. While climbing, its highly agile tail not only balances but also provides a good grip. Since 2012 it has been considered an endangered species.
What is the Wilderness Watch Program?
It has been collecting distribution and threat data on 18 endangered plant and animal species since 2009 with the help of volunteers. The program has been running the Mammal of the Year initiative for eight years, with a series of events throughout the year to raise awareness of the importance and characteristics of the selected endangered or highly endangered mammal species and their environment. It is one of Hungary's first Citizen Science programs, an adventurous data collection system combined with nature observation and awareness-raising.
The Wilderness Watch Program, run by the Herman Ottó Institute Nonprofit Ltd. and the Ministry of Agriculture, with the support of the Hungarian Museum of Natural History and the Budapest Zoo, is organizing the closing event of the Harvest Mouse Gala and carnival, which is open to all.