Wildlife

Water Vole Recovery in the UK

The water vole is Britain's most rapidly declining mammal, having lost over 90% of its population in recent decades, primarily due to American mink predation and habitat loss.

Key Facts

Water vole populations declined by over 90% between 1950 and 2000
American mink introduced for the fur trade can devastate water vole colonies
A single mink can eliminate an entire water vole colony within weeks
Habitat restoration and mink control programmes have achieved population recovery in some areas
The Devon Wildlife Trust programme has achieved major water vole recovery through mink trapping

Welfare Considerations

Water voles preyed upon by mink suffer acute predation stress and death. Survivors in fragmented populations experience isolation and inbreeding depression. Mink control through trapping reduces predation mortality but requires ongoing effort as mink recolonise from surrounding areas. Reintroduction programmes that establish water voles in restored habitats can rapidly rebuild populations.

What You Can Do

Support water vole reintroduction programmes through Wildlife Trusts
Volunteer for mink monitoring and control programmes in water vole habitat
Report water vole sightings to national monitoring databases
Advocate for mink control as part of conservation management strategies
Support riparian habitat restoration that benefits water voles