Red Squirrels
Conservation efforts to save the red squirrel in Britain are now focussed on
protecting the few small areas in England where they still survive from incursions by grey
squirrels.
The situation for red squirrels in the wild looks bleak, and although there is not
currently a national captive breeding programme, due to the lack of suitable release
habitat for animals, we hope to continue with red squirrel breeding, in partnership with
other organisations, to retain a healthy captive population for the future.
Scottish Wild Cats
The Scottish wild cat is probably close to extinction in the wild, having hybridised with
feral domestic cats. Unfortunately legislation to protect the species has not kept pace
with the real challenges the animal faces in the wild, partly due to the complexities of
proving the purity of wild individuals.
We are participating with the national captive breeding studbook which aims to preserve
and enhance the purity of wild cats in captivity for any future release programmes.
Water Voles
The recent decline of the water vole in the wild has been dramatic. Recent research
indicates that loss of habitat through building and agricultural improvement of riverbank
areas, together with pollution of water courses started the dramatic decline. The escapees
and intentional releases of captive American mink from fur farms introduced a new predator
on already vulnerable populations.
Habitat conservation and reintroduction efforts have helped to slow the decline and
there is evidence that mink populations may now be in reverse following the comeback of
the native otter.
Our water vole population is growing and we are looking into a soft release programme
elsewhere on our site to try to
re-establish a local wild population.
