Water vole breeding, reintroduction and mitigation
From a thriving population to endangered, priority status
Water voles (Arvicola amphibius), once widespread across waterways in England, Scotland and Wales, have experienced a dramatic population decline, with estimates suggesting they are now absent from up to 90% of their historic habitats. Their decline is attributed to several key threats:
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Unsympathetic river management practices, such as dredging and canalisation, have destroyed or fragmented their natural habitats. The construction of transport networks and housing developments split vole territories and prevent migration between colonies. This fragmentation of water vole colonies leads to inbreeding within the population and eventually causes localised extinctions.
Predation by the American mink
The introduction of non-native American mink has led to significant predation pressure. During the 1900’s American mink were brought to the UK and kept in fur farms. Many escaped or were released, allowing a wild population to establish and thrive. Female and juvenile mink are slim enough to follow water voles into their burrows, gradually removing them from their territory.
Pollution
Contamination of waterways affects water quality and the vegetation water voles rely on for food and cover.
Urbanisation
Development on floodplains and along waterways has also resulted in the direct loss of riverside habitats and vegetation.
Conservation efforts, such as habitat restoration, reintroduction projects, and controlling mink populations, are critical to halting their decline and supporting recovery.
What is their conservation status?
GB Red List: Endangered (EN)
Endangered (EN) in England
Near Threatened (NT) in Scotland
Critically Endangered (CR) in Wales
On the 6th April 2008, water voles were granted full legal protection in England and Wales, under Section 9 of Schedule 5 of the Act. The Act offers protection against intentional killing, capture or injury and intentional or reckless disturbance, obstruction, damage or destruction of their burrows. If water voles are found during any construction project, all works must stop immediately to avoid breaking the law.
Licenses to allow conservation of water voles
Licenses may be granted under Section 16 by Natural England to allow activities which would otherwise be classed as an offence:
For scientific or educational purposes
For the purposes of ringing or marking
For conserving wild animals or introducing them into a particular area
Preserving public health or public safety
Preventing the spread of disease
Preventing serious damage to any form of property or to fisheries
What does Wildwood do to help water vole?
Habitat suitability assessment
Habitat management advice
Breeding for reintroduction
Micro-chipping water voles
Provision and installation of soft release pens
Post release monitoring
Annual population monitoring, through a field sign survey
Water vole handling courses
Any profit generated through our ecological services is invested back into our conservation projects.
How does Wildwood get involved?
Proposed development sites that may be inhabited by water voles must be surveyed by experienced ecologists to confirm their presence. If water voles are identified, a mitigation strategy must be designed and implemented by licensed ecologists.
Wildwood supports ecological consultants by offering guidance on mitigation strategies and providing the necessary animal husbandry care.
This ensures the well-being of water voles until they can be safely reintroduced to their habitat after the completion of the development.
How are water vole caught and transported?
Wildwood can provide experienced staff to help carry out trapping, and has the capacity to loan equipment, after ensuring that a license from Natural England is in place.
Our humane live traps are purpose built and easy to use. They contain a large nest box that provides safety and shelter and a generous amount of space for bedding and food.
Our transport cages provide plenty of space for nesting material and food, offering a comfortable and safe environment for housing water voles during transit. These cages are made from a combination of plastic and metal, allowing easy disinfection between uses.
When releasing water voles back into the wild, we use soft release pens. These are made from high quality aluminium and are designed to fold flat for ease of transporting. They are designed to be dug into the ground and provide shelter and refuge from predators on site. The bottomless floor encourages water voles to burrow out into their new surroundings.
How are water vole looked after?
Wildwood is equipped with purpose-built quarantine facilities to temporarily house water voles. Each enclosure includes a large water bowl for swimming, a nest box, and a fresh supply of fruits, vegetables, and natural foods.
For longer stays, Wildwood's conservation team utilises their expertise and facilities to breed the voles, ensuring the availability of young, healthy offspring for future release into the wild.
Upon arrival and before departure to the wild, the water voles receive a thorough health check including collecting blood and faecal samples for parasitic and disease screening.
Where to spot water voles
Visit a riverbank to catch a glimpse of one of the UK's most endangered and beloved mammals - the water vole, famously known as 'Ratty' from Wind in the Willows. Once a common sight along rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes, water voles have suffered drastic declines due to habitat loss and predation by the invasive American mink. However, dedicated efforts by conservationists and volunteers are helping these charming creatures make a comeback in certain areas.
To spot a water vole, be patient and observant. Look for them foraging along the banks or listen for the distinctive 'plop' as they dive into the water. They are most active from April to September, with Spring being the best time to see them, as the vegetation is still short.
Signs of water voles
Burrows - found in the riverbank, often surrounded by neatly nibbled grass
Feeding spots - look for piles of stems with 45-degree angled cuts at the ends, left near the water's edge
Droppings - small, rounded, tic-tac size doppings make up their latrines
Water vole are highly sensitive to disturbance, so to increase your chances, use binoculars to observe from a distance, and keep dogs under close control and out of the water. The water vole resembles the brown rat, but is distinguishable by its blunt nose, small ears, and furry tail.
With a little patience and care, you might just encounter this iconic species in its natural habitat.
