‘Ratty’ returns to Yorkshire as released water voles thrive

 Water voles are flourishing again in the Yorkshire Dales after a successful reintroduction by the National Trust.

More than 100 water voles, which provided inspiration for Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows, were released around Malham Tarn last August, the first time they had been seen in the area for 50 years.

Nine months later, the water voles have spread almost a mile away from the original release site and are flourishing.

Roisin Black, a ranger at Malham Tarn, said: “By burrowing into the banks, the voles have created much more natural-looking streams with shady pools that should be really good for invertebrates and small fish.”

One hundred more water voles will be released into the fenland this week.