Target: His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Wales, President of the National Trust
Goal: Praise the return of the formerly extinct water vole to the UK.
After over three decades of near-extinction, the United Kingdom’s water vole population is making a comeback, with 150 voles being released in six separate locations along the Holnicote Estate on Exmoor in Somerset. These adorable creatures were wiped out over 30 years ago due to excessive farming and urbanization, in addition to being hunted by American minks escaping from nearby fur farms.
The return of any species from the brink of extinction is always cause for celebration. While water voles did still exist, they were very few in number and were one of the fastest-disappearing mammals on the planet. Petitions such as this one on ForceChange were circulated demanding their return. Now, it looks as though the species will thrive once again; the 150 voles released will be closely monitored by rangers, students, volunteers, and others to gauge their adjustment.
It is rare that a species is given such a chance for a revival, and people view this one with high hopes and expectations. Sign this petition to thank the National Trust for making the revival of the water vole possible.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Your Royal Highness,
Your decision to return 150 water voles to their former habitat along the Holnicote Estate is highly commendable. The species had been nearly extinct for three decades due to excessive farming and urbanization after World War II, plus being hunted by American minks. While the species managed not to disappear completely, they had lost 94 percent of their population and were among the fastest disappearing of all mammals in the United Kingdom.
Their return has been highly demanded and anticipated, and we owe you a debt of gratitude for letting it happen. Thank you for bringing the water voles back to Holnicote, for giving them the chance to thrive once again.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Peter Trimming
This brings joy to my heart knowing an animal was saved from extinction. How did the American minks manage to get over there, and for what purpose?