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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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- - 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.
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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.

Home // Discover wildlife // Facts and figures

Facts and figures

Learn more about the mammals that roam Britain by browsing our fact files via the links below.

Estimates of population sizes are taken from the Mammal Society’s 2018 report, ‘A Review of the Population and Conservation Status of British Mammals: Technical Summary’. There are eleven mammal species (either native or naturalised) that are at risk of extinction in Britain as assessed by IUCN Red List criteria. These are classified as: Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), or Vulnerable (VU), with those Critically Endangered being at highest risk, and collectively are referred to as Threatened. Four others are classified as Near Threatened (NT).

Whales and dolphins
Cetaceans are a group of marine mammals that breathe air and are adapted to life in the water.
Seals
This group is highly adapted to life in the water and are known as pinnipeds meaning 'flap-footed'.
- Common (or Harbour) seal
- Grey seal
Marsupials
Meaning 'pouched-one' only one species is found in the UK- the red-necked wallaby.
- Red-necked wallaby
Rabbits and hares
These herbivores are also known as lagomorphs. There are three species in the UK.
Shrews, moles and hedgehogs
Small, mostly nocturnal mammals that feed mainly on insects and are known as insectivores.
Carnivores
Predators with teeth adapted to eat meat. Nine species live in the UK and another three are now extinct.
- Red fox
- Pine marten
- Stoat
- Weasel
- Polecat
- European badger
- Otter
- American mink
- Wildcat
Deer and wild boar
These even-toed ungulates are large plant eating mammals that walk on two-hoofed toes.
Bats
18 species make up a third of all wild mammals in Britain. Bats are our the only truly flying mammals.
Rodents
Mammals with distinctive front teeth, of which there are 15 species in Britain, eight being native.