New funding to help reintroduce rare grasshoppers into Norfolk
They were last seen in the area in 1968
Last updated 14th Sep 2023
Rare animal species in Norfolk are set to benefit from new funding to help improve habitats.
63 projects across the country have today been awarded a share of ÂŁ14.5 million by Natural England to help recover 150 species nationwide.
Here in Norfolk, Hop of Hope is getting a share of the funding to help reintroduce the Large Marsh Grasshopper in East Anglia.
The project's being led by Citizen Zoo, and aims to restore the Large Marsh Grasshopper (LMG), which was last seen in the area back in 1968.
The LMG is one of the country's rarest grasshoppers and is classified as Nationally Rare and Near Threatened.
Having released over 5,000 individuals across 4 sites since 2018, the project's pilot release site now appears to have an established and self-sustaining population of over 550 individuals in 2023.
The team is now hoping to replicate this on further sites in Norfolk.
Lucas Ruzo, Chief Executive from Citizen Zoo:
"We are so excited to have received funding to continue our Hop of Hope Project. With over 5000 individual Large Marsh Grasshoppers now back into four sites across Norfolk, this funding will enable us to release onto further sites in the county.
“Our pilot release site has a self-sustaining population, ensuring the species' long-term survival in Norfolk. This is all thanks to our dedicated team, partners and our Citizen Keepers, who work tirelessly over the summer months to home-rear grasshoppers ahead of their release.
“After a successful fifth year of releases, we look forward to planning ahead for 2024, which stands to be another landmark year as we seek to release onto a further two sites in the Norfolk Broads."
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, said:
“Nature is in drastic decline all around us, with England now one of the most nature depleted countries in Earth. Many once common animals and plants are much reduced with some 15 percent of species at risk of becoming extinct here.
“It’s a dire situation, but can still be turned around. We know this because we’ve seen the population of the once endangered Bittern rise dramatically, the recovery of the Fen Raft Spider and Water Voles successfully reintroduced to areas from where they had previously been lost.
"The partnership projects we are highlighting today demonstrate the power of collaborative action to reverse species decline and we look forward to seeing positive practical progress as a result of the investments being made”.