One in five UK mammals at risk of extinction
First British study for 20 years says native species on ‘a precipice’ due to loss of habitat and pesticides
‘We need to make sure we have connective landscapes throughout Britain where animals have a home’
BATS, wildcats and red squirrels are among the nearly one in five British mammal species at risk of extinction within the next decade, a major survey has found.
Beavers, water voles and hazel dor- mice also appear on the “red list” of those expected to die out unless changes to building allocation and pesticide use are made.
The Natural England-commissioned study by the Mammal Society, the first thorough review of mammals in Britain for 20 years, found populations of hedgehogs have declined by up to 66 per cent since the last such survey was carried out.
The report revealed there is currently just one known greater mouseeared bat in England, comparing it to “Lonesome George”, the giant tortoise on the Galapagos Islands which was the last of its species.
The study’s authors last night described the ecological situation as being on a “precipice” and warned that for many species the real situation may be worse than suggested by the figures because of significant data gaps.
Professor Fiona Mathews, the chairman of the Mammal Society, said: “This is happening on our own doorstep so it falls upon all of us to try and do what we can to ensure that our threatened species do not disappear from our shores for ever.”
The report found that road deaths, the use of pesticides, climate change and loss of habitat due to development were putting pressure on UK species.
There was better news, however, for some species. Deer, which have no natural predators in the UK, have increased in number, and beavers and wild boar have returned to British shores since the last time such a study was completed.
The study mapped where mammals are found and estimated their population to see how that has changed since previous studies in the Nineties, and assesses their risk of extinction against internationally agreed criteria.
It found that almost one in five species – 12 out of 58 – is threatened with extinction across Britain.
Prof Mathews, an evolution and behaviour expert at the University of Sussex, said: “The idea of tiny nature reserves, national parks and so on is a bit of a worry because most of the British landscape isn’t like that.
“Most wild animals move over a wide distance, and we need to make sure we have connective landscapes throughout Britain where animals have a home.”