The Reintroduction of water Voles at LettsSafari parks is bearing fruit. Kenneth Grahame would be proud.

The reintroduction of water voles in Britain has become a critical part of the country's rewilding efforts, aiming to restore ecosystems that have been significantly damaged over time. Water voles, often referred to as "Ratty" from Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows, were once widespread across Britain.

However, their population has drastically declined over the past century due to habitat loss, pollution, and predation by non-native American mink.

A project to reintroduce water voles a few years ago, at LettsSafari parks , even including Exeter's Capability Brown gardens, has been quite a success. As a result we have worked on continuing to extend our wetland areas to widen their habitat. Now our central bog and wetland areas cover over 5 acres.

According to reports, water vole populations have declined by over 90% since the 1970s, making them one of Britain's most endangered mammals.

Water voles are an important keystone species in wetland ecosystems. They create complex burrow systems and eat large amounts of aquatic plants, which helps to manage wetland vegetation. This behaviour contributes to healthier waterways by maintaining plant diversity and reducing overgrowth, which in turn supports a broader range of wildlife.

A lesser-known fact about water voles is their fascinating ability to engineer their habitat by creating "rafts" out of floating vegetation. These rafts are used by water voles not only for feeding but also as vantage points to avoid predators. Water voles are highly skilled swimmers and will construct these floating platforms by intertwining plant material such as reeds and grasses. This behaviour demonstrates their adaptability and resourcefulness in navigating their watery environments.

Additionally, water voles have a unique way of communicating through scent. They possess specialised glands located on their flanks, which they rub against objects like grass or stones to mark their territory. These scent markings help maintain their social structure and signal presence to other water voles in the area.

Their burrowing activity also improves soil health and aids in the natural flooding process, making these animals crucial to the functioning of river and wetland habitats.

One of the standout successes in reintroducing water voles occurred at LettsSafari's rewilding centre in Devon, led by conservationist Derek Gow. Gow, a leading figure in water vole conservation, has been instrumental in captive breeding and reintroduction programs across the UK.

At Mamhead Park South, Gow’s team released hundreds of water voles into carefully managed habitats. These efforts have been part of broader restoration activities aimed at improving the biodiversity of the area and encouraging a healthier ecosystem. The reintroduction of water voles at LettsSafari parks exemplifies the power of rewilding in the UK. These initiatives are not just about restoring a single species but rebuilding entire ecosystems.

The success of water vole reintroductions offers hope for the future of Britain’s wetlands and highlights the importance of continuing to protect and restore natural landscapes for the benefit of both wildlife and people. Plus, what could be more enjoyable than the sight of a water vole tip toeing on shimmering wetlands in the golden sunset.

LettsSafari is on a mission to build rewilding safari parks across the UK. To become a LettsSafari Member go to LettsSafari.com .