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The water vole is a semi-aquatic rodent from the subfamily: Arvicolinae. There are two species recognised: the northern water vole (A. terrestris) and the southern (A. sapidus) though they are most commonly known as ‘Ratty!’.
Devastating surveys conducted over the past 20 years, instigated the 1995 UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), 1997 UK Water Vole Steering Group & Species Action Plan (SAP) and most significantly1998 - Legal protection to water vole places of shelter as on 1981 Wildlife & Countryside Act (as amended) (Strachan,1998).
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In the zoo industry BIAZA monitors the species through a native species working group. Nationally it is the Environment Agency who is the lead agency, however locally, organisations such as The Wildlife Trust govern and advise on local populations through regional BAP’s.
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All this professional help is paramount when we consider water voles have suffered a national decline of over 89% in the last century, and there are many factors attributed to its demise. Pollution of the waterways, persecution and rat issues, habitat loss and degradation, population fragmentation, increased urbanisation, predation and most significantly the MINK! (Strachan, 1998)
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Water Vole conservation - on the River Shep
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This is where Shepreth Wildlife Park can help conserve this species and the local habitat at the same time i.e. the River Shep. Staff can aid habitat restoration, raise awareness to park visitors and conduct surveys on the bordering rivers.
The River Shep currently hosts abundant bramble, scrub and overhanging branches which shades new growth preventing marginal vegetation from flourishing, essential for water vole activity. Bank erosion is also a problem in this area. Therefore much of the hard work will involve planting marginal vegetation, removing ivy, bramble and overhang, moving fences to protect bank space and monitoring species levels both on the River Shep and on-site.
The park utilises volunteers to conduct on-going surveys on & off site co-ordinated by our Research Officer, Dr. Margaret Clotworthy. Margaret then uses this data to highlight this species plight as well as sending it on to the local Wildlife Trust to aid their work.
Nationwide this species has received an on-going increase in support over the years. Strategies in place aim to restore the species to its former 1970 state (BAP target by 2010) in regions were it is extinct through large scale re-introductions, by recreating well-vegetated wetland ecosystems.
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Join our team of volunteers at Shepreth
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If anyone is interested in joining Margaret and her team of volunteers on survey work please contact her directly by email.
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