Intrepid water vole travels 7km and takes a selfie
June 7, 2016
The UK’s largest ever water vole release is being hailed a success as evidence shows the rare animals are once again established on the River Meon in Hampshire.
Once a common sight in the area, water voles had been locally extinct in the Meon Valley for at least ten years. Now, thanks to a joint project led by the South Downs National Park Authority, the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, the UK’s most rapidly declining mammal is making a comeback.
Since the project began in 2013 more than 1,500 water voles have been released at 10 sites along the river valley starting at Hampshire County Council’s site at Tichfield Haven near the river mouth and then upstream. This is the best place to visit for people hoping to spot water voles.
South Downs National Park rangers and volunteers have been monitoring the water vole’s progress by carrying out surveys and using camera traps. This shows that the animals have been moving into new territories and breeding.
Elaina Whitaker-Slark, Lead Ranger at the South Downs National Park, said:
“Our most intrepid water vole, we’re calling him Marco Vole-o, has travelled about 7km from his original release site. We know this because he took a ‘selfie’ on one of our camera traps.
“Females tend to stay closer to release sites while males will travel further to look for a mate and start a new territory. We’ve since released more water voles near where he was last spotted so hopefully he’ll find love and settle down.
“The next release will take place this month with around 300 animals being released at Droxford and Exton. We’re so grateful to local residents, landowners and anglers who have supported the work.”
Water vole populations across the country have suffered in the past because of habitat loss, pollution and predation by non-native American mink. The project partners have worked closely with landowners and anglers to control the mink and improve the quality of the habitat which will also benefit the river ecosystem as a whole.
The water voles have been bred by Derek Gow Consultancy in Devon. At each site the water voles are gradually acclimatised to their new home spending four days in release pens which are then be opened to allow them to explore.