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Water vole relocation project begins to stop falling numbers

The Wildlife Trust has begun a water vole re-location project Credit: ITV News Anglia

A project to re-introduce one of the UK's fastest declining small mammals back into our rivers is underway in the region.

Since the early 1990's water vole numbers have been dropping dramatically, leaving them now lost from most rivers in Hertfordshire.

But now the Wildlife Trust is working to change that with a water vole re-location project at the Thorley Wash Nature Reserve in Bishop's Stortford.

"It's a wonderful reserve and a wonderful place for water voles, there are no water voles on the River Stort, they ought to be here, they're not here, so we're putting them back to where they should be."

– Martin Ketcher/Watervole Conservation Officer, Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust

The water voles have been carefully collected from another reserve near Clacton and transported north to their new home the River Stort, which runs through Bishop's Stortford.

They are being paired up and placed in secure pens to give them a 'soft release' into their new home and the chance to breed safely. Some males though, are being released straight into the wild.

The water vole has become the UK's fastest declining small mammal and has been lost entirely from most rivers in Hertfordshire.

The water vole is the UK's fastest declining small mammal Credit: Tom Marshall, The Wildlife Trust

Their decline is being partly blamed on the American Mink, which hunts the water vole.

But now Mink numbers are being controlled and it's hoped the water vole will be able to grow in numbers and thrive once again.

The American Mink is being blamed for the decline of the water vole Credit: Wildstock c/o The Wildlife Trusts'

"We've got a good body of volunteers that keep a check on the rafts and as long as that effort keeps going, there is no reason why the water voles shouldn't thrive, the habitat is excellent."

– Bob Reed, River Champion, Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust