Causes of decline
Once common and widespread, the water vole population
throughout the UK has suffered a drastic decline in numbers and
range.
It is estimated that since the turn of the century, this species
has disappeared from 94% of the sites where it was previously
recorded.
Factors, which have contributed to the decline in water vole
populations, include habitat loss and degradation, inappropriate
water management and the non-native American mink. Since their
introductions into the UK, this mink species has had a severe
impact on the water vole populations and in some areas
causing extinctions.
Water Voles are listed as UK BAP priority species although they
have limited protection through British legislation and only their
habitats are protected.
Work is being done within the Vale of Glamorgan by the River Thaw
Project to try and conserve this important species