Wildlife Welfare

Wild Water Vole Welfare

Water voles are one of the UK's fastest-declining mammals. Habitat restoration and mink control are the primary tools for protecting both individual welfare and population viability.

Key Facts

UK water vole populations have declined by over 90% since the 1970s
American mink introduced to the UK are the primary cause of population collapse
Mink control through trapping in key areas has enabled local population recovery
Bankside habitat including overhanging vegetation is essential for water vole welfare
Habitat restoration alongside mink control is required for population recovery

Welfare Considerations

Water vole welfare is threatened by mink predation, which causes rapid colony collapse. Mink control in key areas is a welfare intervention that provides both direct individual protection and population recovery.

What You Can Do

Support water vole conservation organisations through donation and volunteering
Report water vole sightings and mink sightings to wildlife recording groups
Advocate for mink control funding in water vole recovery areas
Learn about water vole ecology and the mink predation issue