NEW FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT TO BENEFIT UK'S RAREST REPTILES

The sand lizard, smooth snake and adder will get a habitat revamp in a large-scale heathland project in the New Forest National Park

- Helen Pilcher

It's hoped three of the UK's rarest reptiles will thrive in habitats in the New Forest National Park thanks to a new heathland restoration project.

A 560km² wildlife haven of pasture, heathland and forest in south-west Hampshire, the New Forest is home to all three of the UK's most endangered reptiles: the sand lizard, smooth snake and adder. However, much of the heathland habitats they prefer have become overgrown by gorse. More widely, the three species are also threatened by climate change, fires and habitat destruction.