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1,000th hazel dormouse reintroduced to the UK

The 1,000th hazel dormouse has been released into the wild as part of a reintroduction programme to help boost numbers of the native mammal within the UK. Wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), Natural England and the University of Cumbria have been working together to help save the endangered species from extinction. They … Read more

How you can help this Hedgehog Awareness Week

Hedgehog Awareness Week runs from 2nd to 8th May and to mark the occasion the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) is asking people to create a hedgehog haven in their garden. It takes very little effort to help Britain’s only spiny mammal – now officially classed as vulnerable to extinction – but will make a huge difference … Read more

10 ways to help hedgehogs this year

Hedgehog Street, a nationwide campaign launched by wildlife charities People’s Trust for Endangered Species and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, is celebrating its 10th birthday this year. To mark the occasion Hedgehog Street is asking members of the public to do 10 things to help hedgehogs in 2021.

Marking three decades of dormouse conservation

UK conservation charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species marks the 30th anniversary of its National Dormouse Monitoring Programme (NDMP) this year – the longest-running small land mammal survey in the world. Established in 1990 to monitor how the UK’s hazel dormouse populations are faring, results for the 2019 report revealed that, although some populations are thriving, … Read more

Red List for British mammals most at risk

Red Squirrel by Austin Thomas The first official Red List for British Mammals has been created highlighting the national species at risk of extinction if urgent action is not taken. Produced by the Mammal Society for Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage, the Red List shows that of the 47 mammals native … Read more

Plans to restore native wildcats gathers pace

The Wildwood Trust has formed a partnership with Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT) with the aim of reintroducing native wildcats to Britain. The European wildcat disappeared from England and Wales a century ago – they were considered vermin – and the species is now one of the rarest and most endangered … Read more

Record your mammal sightings for annual wildlife survey

If you would like to do something positive for wildlife without having to leave your home, People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is calling for volunteers to take part in its annual Living with Mammals survey which launched this week. Many of Britain’s mammals are under threat, but recording sightings from your garden, balcony or … Read more

London’s hedgehog hotspots revealed

A recent survey conducted by scientists from ZSL (Zoological Society of London)’s London HogWatch programme and People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) has revealed a mixed picture for native hedgehogs across the capital. The research, carried out over a two-week period in 2019, involved placing hundreds of cameras in several green spaces across London, from … Read more

Discover a world of bats in bold new book from DK

If your child has a keen interest in the natural world and conservation, they will love this new book by author and illustrator Charlotte Milner. Packed full with fascinating facts about our only flying mammal, The Bat Book contains bold, charming illustrations exploring the amazing upside world of bats. With over 1,300 species found around … Read more

Adaptable pine martens change diet in order to thrive

New research from Queen’s University Belfast, funded by wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), has revealed that pine martens are less fussy in terms of their diet than previously thought. Native to the British Isles, pine martens were once one of our most abundant predators, before populations declined and they became a protected … Read more

Give our bats a boost by adding a place to roost

Bats are often portrayed as vampire-like creatures and something to fear, especially at this time of year. However, many UK bat species are actually very small and vulnerable, eating only insects, and could welcome a helping hand as winter approaches. Playing an important role in pollination and seed dispersal, these nocturnal mammals are vital to … Read more

Wildlife charity call on volunteers for water vole survey

UK wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is looking for wildlife enthusiasts to take part in its National Water Vole Monitoring Programme. Members of the public are asked to help monitor signs of the UK’s disappearing water voles as part of its annual survey, which begins this weekend and runs until 15th June. The water vole … Read more

Beavers given legal protection in Scotland

This week the Scottish Government made the landmark decision to introduce legal protection for beavers in Scotland from May 1st. The beaver will now join species such as otters, bats and bottlenose dolphins as a European Protected Species in Scotland. The announcement has been welcomed by the two lead partners in the Scottish Beaver Trial … Read more

Animal introductions revealed by keepers at Cotswold

Cotswold Wildlife Park in Oxfordshire welcomed three very special new arrivals to the Primate Section recently – two incredibly rare Lemur species and a new mate for their male Sloth. Writing exclusively for Discover Animals, Natalie Horner, Deputy Section Head of Primates and Small Mammals at Cotswold Wildlife explains what is involved in welcoming new animals … Read more

Giant anteater makes herself at home in Yorkshire

The latest addition to Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s family of animals is three year old giant anteater Tammy who recently arrived from Zoo de la Barben, in Provence, France. The female anteater wasted no time settling into her new home as she made herself busy, sniffing out food in bug-infested woodpiles. Tammy will join male Nikki … Read more

First Thames seal pup survey conducted

The first ever survey of seal pups in the Thames Estuary has been carried out by marine biologists. Positive findings will now be used to provide evidence of the estuary’s ecological importance. The inaugural harbour seal breeding survey was conducted via sea, land and air over a four day period (1-4 July), led by international conservation … Read more

Go batty for bats in your back garden

The Wildlife Trusts is encouraging us to get closer to bats and understand more about these fascinating little mammals.  They suggest many ways to help them thrive, including going batty in your back garden. There are lots of little things that we can do that have a big impact on bats, from planting night-scented flowers … Read more

First survey of British hedgehog houses taken

Hedgehog Street launched the first ever national Hedgehog Housing Census this week, a nationwide campaign set up by wildlife charities the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and People’s Trust for Endangered Species. The aim of the survey is to combat the ongoing fall in native hedgehog population numbers, which have declined by up to a third … Read more

Bat conservation week at West Midland

West Midland Safari Park have been busy hosting a dedicated conservation week to raise awareness and funds for bats. Protect Bats Week, in association with the Bat Conservation Trust, runs until Sunday 14th May and aims to inform guests about the amazing world of bats, and what species can be found in the U.K. A variety … Read more

Hedgehog Awareness Day in Stratford-upon-Avon

The team at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, are hosting a Hedgehog awareness day this Saturday 6th of May, marking the end of National Hedgehog Awareness Week. Family-friendly activities will be on offer throughout the day, including interactive talks explaining how you can help hedgehogs live happy and healthy lives in your garden. Crafty … Read more

Paignton Zoo welcome pygmy slow loris twins

Twin pygmy slow loris, born at Paignton Zoo, Devon in February, have become much easier for visitors to spot this month as they venture out and about with parents and experienced breeding pair Charlie and Edna. Weighing in at just 25/30 grams when born, the tiny youngsters join a larger than average collection of pygmy slow loris … Read more

The who’s who of babies at Blackpool Zoo

Blackpool Zoo has welcomed more than 50 tiny faces to its line up of really wild residents so far in 2016. From critically endangered species on the brink of extinction to the just downright cute, each and every one of them has brought joy to keepers and visitors alike. The largest baby to be born … Read more