Home / Environment / Grasshopper Returns to Norfolk After 86 Years
Grasshopper Returns to Norfolk After 86 Years
12 Oct
Summary
- Rare grasshopper hatched in wild for first time since 1939.
- Conservation project raised and released thousands of insects.
- UK government aims to halt species decline by 2030.
The large marsh grasshopper has successfully returned to Norfolk's Broads, marking its first appearance in the wild since 1939, after an 86-year hiatus. This significant conservation success is attributed to the 'Hop of Hope' project, led by Citizen Zoo.
Volunteers played a crucial role, raising and releasing thousands of grasshoppers into restored wetland habitats. The project utilized pre-incubated eggs to help establish new populations in areas with thriving bog and fen environments. This effort aims to reverse the species' regional extinction.
Funding for this reintroduction came from Natural England's Species Recovery Programme. The program, with a £13 million grant scheme, supports 63 wildlife conservation projects across England. This aligns with the government's commitment to halt species decline by 2030.
Further reintroductions are planned for other Norfolk sites, contingent on funding and habitat suitability. The project highlights the importance of partnerships between conservation groups, volunteers, and government funding.
