This decline is seen across many rivers and waterways, and not just on our canals. We've done some research and over the last 30 years there has been a decline of 80% of this species, which is partly attributable to habitat degradation and fragmentation.
This demonstrates the urgent need for habitat restoration along our canals and rivers and linking up of existing sites to address the reduction.
Citizen science surveys
Last year, we asked visitors and boaters to help us to map colonies or evidence of water voles living along our canals. Thank you to everyone that took part. We are currently collating all this data and will create a map which will help us identify where these habitats are along the canal and where we need to work to improve conditions for these furry little mammals.
