Salisbury's water voles looking for love in new "exotic" location
They want to maintain the vole population
Last updated 2nd Sep 2022
Due to the River Park project in the city, water voles from Salisbury had to be moved to a new "exotic" location.
They've travelled far and wide ending up in... Ringwood.
It's now the dozen animals will be able to find love in their new home, as 50 new bachelors and bachelorettes that were bred in captivity will be introduced.
The water vole population in Ringwood was severely affected by mink in the past, but with the mink population now in control, in time it is hoped the water voles will breed once they get past their territorial instincts.
Water voles are a legally protected species and also Britain’s fastest declining mammal.
During survey work for the £27 million Salisbury River Park scheme, a small number of them were found.
Mike Porter of the Environment Agency said:
“One of the Salisbury River Park’s aims, aside from reducing flood risk and regeneration, is to improve the environment for biodiversity.
“So it is very encouraging to see that spill over to this location where the voles are healthy and happy in their new forever home and, in time, will grow in numbers and spread afield.”
Cllr Dr Mark McClelland, Cabinet Member for Waste, Street Scene and Flooding at Wiltshire Council, said:
“One of our priorities is for Wiltshire's natural beauty and environment to be protected and maintained whilst improving the natural and built environment and enhancing the city flood defences.
“The unique habitats, landscape and wildlife play a key part in the county’s visitor economy and the wellbeing of our residents. The translocation of the voles was a vital part of the project to help maintain the local vole population in this part of the river. We look forward to seeing them around the site again in the future.”
Construction for the scheme began in July this year and is expected to be completed in Spring 2024.