Water voles return to River Wey by National Trust

Water voles are being reintroduced into Surrey as part of a programme to bring the species back from local extinction.

Nearly 200 water voles have been released in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire along the River Wey as part of plans to return the animals to the area, having not been seen in about 20 years.

The programme, led by the National Trust and the Environment Agency, saw dozens more voles return to the area near Haslemere on Monday.

David Elliott, National Trust lead ranger for the South Downs West, said: “They are a really dynamic species. They live fast and die young, and they are constantly breeding and everything is always on the move.”

He added: “I remember seeing the last of them about 25 years ago. After that the only ones within miles of her was stuffed and in a display case.

“It’s a real moment of celebration and I couldn’t be happier about seeing the species come back.”

Groups of water vole siblings were placed along the River Wey in habitat boxes with holes allowing them to come and go, and acclimatise to their surroundings.

After a few days, covers on the boxes were removed to allow them to roam freely and begin to nest in the area.

It is hoped that the repopulation programme will eventually return water voles to the River Wey in larger numbers, with 192 released so far.

Population figures have been in rapid decline since 2000, having plummeted by 93% in England during the 20th Century.

Volunteer Bryony Chapman, a member of the Black Down and Hindhead Supporters of the National Trust, added: “I’m so pleased to be part of it. Water voles aren’t just lovely animals, they’re important to the whole ecosystem.”