WILDLIFE chiefs in Warwickshire are providing ‘motels’ to help water voles survive.
The aquatic mammals are in danger of vanishing from riverbanks in the county owing to habitat loss, water pollution and development.
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Work is now working to try and boost their numbers by making river and canal banks more water vole-friendly – including providing more nesting and feeding opportunities.
This includes trialling new ‘water vole motels’ – chestnut posts resembling semi-aquatic hanging baskets planted up with tasty plants for water voles.
And wildlife-loving residents in Warwickshire are playing their part.
Training has been provided to help preserve waterways and water vole populations.
But further funding is urgently needed to continue the work. People can donate – £5 buys native plug plants for summer water vole food ; £10 buys native fruit trees for autumn water vole food ; £25 builds 3 metres of water vole motels ; £50 buys fencing to protect bankside plants – by texting WKWT08 and the amount to 70070.
Spokeswoman Ellie Brodie said: “Water voles are an essential part of our wild and watery places and it’s terribly sad that we’re continuing to witness huge declines of this much-loved mammal.
“We are working hard to help bring them back again and care for the places that they need to survive – but much more is needed if we’re going to stop this charismatic creature disappearing altogether.”
