Water voles reintroduced into the Trossachs

22/05/2009 09:01:48 May 2009. Water voles are re-colonising parts of the Trossachs thanks to an ambitious re-introduction trial that is the first of its kind in Scotland. The three year project aims to re-instate water voles in restored wetland sites in the Aberfoyle area. All of the animals being released have been bred from voles that were originally captured on a development site near Glasgow.

600 + Water voles released
More than 600 animals have already been released - the last batch in May 2009 - and it is hope that a further 400 will be released later this year.

1700 hectares of restored wetlands
The focus of the project has been on the forest habitat network that includes 1700 ha of restored wetlands along a 20km stretch of mainline watercourse in the Duchray and Kelty water systems, both of which flow through Loch Ard Forest.

Katy Freeman for the Commission in Cowal & Trossachs District, said: "The restored wetlands will help to establish a new population of water voles, which in turn will enrich and enhance the habitat for a wide range of other species. It's great for biodiversity and the water voles will be a great draw for visitors to the area.

"The project is also a great way of educating people about the importance of maintaining the rich network of wildlife and habitats in the area. It's been a fascinating process that will inform any similar projects that are undertaken."

Mink
Scanners and dataloggers will help to monitor the movements of the animals as they colonise the surrounding area. Mink will also be carefully monitored for the duration of the project and beyond, to ensure that they do not pose a significant threat to the water voles.

It is recognised that reintroductions of water voles can be very successful into areas of good habitat if carried out systematically in conjunction with long-term mink control. There have been many successful water vole reintroduction projects in England in recent years including the Kennet and Avon Canal, Barn Elms, Upper Thames, Arundel, Ruxley Gravel Pits, Tale Valley and Portbury Docks.

Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham, said: "Water voles are an important cultural and ecological component of our countryside. This is a significant attempt to re-establish water vole populations in water catchments where - over the past 25 years - habitat loss and mink predation have contributed to their extinction locally.

"Early indications are that, thanks to some joined-up thinking and the effective pooling of skills and resources, the project is going to be successful. This sets a new precedent for conservation projects in the Trossachs and across Scotland."

Led by Forestry Commission Scotland, the partnership project has involved SNH, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland and the Kilgarth Development Company and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority. The water voles have been bred by the Derek Gow Consultancy.