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Wildlife
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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.
Wild places
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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.
What we do
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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.
Who we are
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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.
Success stories
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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.
Get involved
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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.
Donate
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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.

Stag beetles

Spectacular stag beetles are in decline.
We are fighting to save this iconic species, and you can too. Record your sightings of stag beetles for the Great Stag Hunt.

Stag beetles

Spectacular stag beetles are in decline.
We are fighting to save this iconic species, and you can too. Record your sightings of stag beetles for the Great Stag Hunt.

You may see stag beetles flying around on warm summer evenings, or you might dig up the large, white grubs, called larvae, in the garden. The stag beetle is our largest land beetle and the males have characteristic ‘antlers’- but don’t worry, they are harmless. In fact, they desperately need our help.

These amazing creatures used to be a common sight, especially in the south of the UK, but sadly they are declining. They’ve even become extinct in a couple of European countries. We can’t let that happen here, so please join us in a national effort to save them this summer by recording your sightings for the Great Stag Hunt.

Map Your Log Pile

Log piles are a great way to provide food and shelter for wildlife in your garden. Please add your log pile, log pyramid or stump to the map.

Map Your Log Pile
Seen a stag beetle?

Join in our annual Great Stag Hunt. Take part in this simple survey so we can build a national picture of how stag beetles are doing. You can also share your images.

Record your Great Stag Hunt sightings
Stag Beetle Count

Can you help us find out more about stag beetles this summer? Take part our weekly European wide survey from the safety of your own garden.

Take part
Stag beetle facts

Find out more about the UK's largest land beetles. Where do they live? What do they eat? How big are they? Are they endangered and how can I help them?

View stag beetle facts
Help stag beetles

Find out how to make your garden stag beetle friendly. Instructions on how to build a log pyramid for stag beetles, free top tips poster and further advice if you have discovered adults or larvae.

Help stag beetles where you live
Frequently Asked Questions

All the answers to your stag beetle questions. How do I safely move stag beetles and larvae? Do stag beetles bite? How can I protect stag beetles from development?

Stag beetle FAQ's
Stag beetle education resources

We've put together loads of fun, free activities for primary aged children. Perfect for home schooling and school teachers.

View activities
Donate to save stags today

Can't build a log pile in your garden but still want to help? Donate to our stag beetle appeal to help fund the essential work we do for stag beetle conservation.

Make a donation
Photo gallery

Take a look at some of the incredible photographs sent in by participants of the Great Stag Hunt 2021. Please share your photos and videos with us, we love to see them!

View the gallery
Lesser stag beetle facts

Lesser stag beetles are often mistaken for their rarer cousin, stag beetles. So here are some lesser stag beetle facts to help you spot the difference.

Spot the lesser stag beetle
Status and reports

We've been running The Great British Stag Hunt for over 20 years. Download the latest State of Britain's Stag Beetles 2018 to view findings.

View latest report
More ways to help wildlife

You can take action in your garden or local green space to help an array of wildlife. Join in more PTES surveys and complete simple tasks over the year.

Help wildlife near you