Source: Environment Agency
The EA report that 500 water voles have been released into the River Meon at Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve. The mammal had not been recorded in the Meon Valley for at least five years and was considered to be locally extinct with predation from non-native American mink and habitat loss major factors in their decline.
Since 2009 the Meon Valley Partnership has run a mink trapping programme and undertaken habitat restoration work. The project is supported by the South Downs National Park Authority, Environment Agency, Natural England, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Portsmouth Water and Hampshire County Council.
Further releases are planned at this and other sites in the river valley over the next few years. In the meantime mink control will continue with the land owners and land managers.
