Water Voles return to Exmoor home

Conservationists plan to release another 150 water voles next spring. Credit: ITV West Country

For the first time in 30 years, one of the country's "most endearing" and rare mammals will soon be swimming again along some of the riverbanks of West Somerset.

150 water voles are being released in six places on the National Trust's Holnicote Estate on Exmoor.

According to the National Trust, the water vole is Britain's fastest declining land mammal, over time disappearing from 94% of its former sites.

They disappeared from the area due to intensive farming and predation by mink.

The plan is to release another 150 next spring.

  • Watch the video below for more information on water voles and their return to Exmoor: