Home / Environment / Water Voles Return: North Devon's Wildlife Roars Back
Water Voles Return: North Devon's Wildlife Roars Back
6 Jul
Summary
- Water voles, once extinct in North Devon, have been reintroduced.
- Extensive habitat restoration included 20 new ponds and 26,000 trees.
- Volunteers aim to double or triple the vole population this season.
Water voles have been reintroduced to North Devon, an event hailed as "an important moment for nature." This species was declared "functionally extinct" in the region in 2000. The reintroduction project involved extensive habitat restoration, including the creation of 20 ponds, planting 26,000 trees, and sowing 15 hectares of wildflower seed.
Conservation efforts also include natural flood management measures, rewetting 1,700m of watercourse, and conservation grazing. Approximately 110 voles have been released, with plans to potentially increase this number based on their progress. Projections suggest the population could double or triple by the end of the current season.
Project officers noted that water voles play a crucial role in creating complex habitats by digging burrows used by other animals. They also serve as a vital prey source for predators like herons and foxes. The success of this reintroduction could see the voles expanding into neighboring watercourses.
