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The race to save Ratty- First national water vole survey launches

Home // News // The race to save Ratty- First national water vole survey launches

Water voles are disappearing. They started to lose their homes in the 1940s and 50s with the intensification of agriculture, but the most devastating factor to their demise came during the 1980s and 90s. Illegally released American mink spread furiously across the countryside preying on the vulnerable native mammals, and continue to do so today. In just ten years water vole numbers had crashed by almost 90%.

People’s Trust for Endangered Species is launching the first National Water Vole Monitoring Programme (NWVMP) across Britain to establish where water voles remain and how many there are. The knowledge gained will guide our best conservation efforts.

  • Listen to PTES’ Emily Thomas on BBC Radio Manchester introducing the survey- listen from 42 minutes and 20 seconds in.

Anyone can take part to help water voles- no experience is required but you will need to learn how to identify fields signs. There are nearly 900 locations across England, Wales and Scotland for you to choose from to survey once each May. Take part today!

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