Project aims to protect treatened populations of water voles in the Cotswold and ensure that their habitat is in a favourable condition. We also aim to improve habitat in currently unoccupied sites in order to encourage the expansion of water vole populations and link vulnerable, isolated colonies.
This could be one of the last chances for the water vole in the Cotswold. They are disappearing from our rivers in Gloucestershire in such a rate that they will son be gone forever. The loss and damage of their habitat ad ferocious predation by non-native American mink have pushed the water vole to the very edge of survival. Two surveys conducted by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust in 1978/79 and 1997/98 recorded a staggering 83% decline in Gloucestershire alone.
We have a 3 pronged attack - control mink, improve the river habitat and support local people to take the water vole's needs into account when going about their daily lives and business. Our team of people led by John Field, Water Vole Officer, who is ready to deliver this work. Now we need to your help to give them the tools they need to do it. John recently surveyed 100km River Cam watercourse and installed 195m offence to prevent cattle damage to water vole habitat and burrows.