'Delights of the river' returning to the Wey

PROJECT TO REINTRODUCE WATER VOLES TO SURREY UNDERWAY

- By VICTORIA SHIPP

BRITAIN’S fastest declining mammal, the water vole, is being returned to the River Wey catchment in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire, having previously been declared locally extinct.

Over the past week, 150 water voles have been released at six carefully chosen sites on the upper reaches of the Wey.

It is the first in a series of reintroductions, which should create a self-sustaining population of water voles over the next two years.

David Elliott, National Trust lead ranger for the South Downs West said: “These micro ecosystem engineers and delights of the river have all but disappeared on our watch.

“I knew the last of them here, more than 20 years ago. Now we are standing on the doorstep of their return, it’s an exciting moment.

“What's unique about the project is the collaborative effort of so many people, coming together to enable the return of a species. From people with a tiny stretch of the river at the bottom of their garden, to major landowners and conservation organisations, all taking positive action.