UK: Conservation Programme Helps Threatened Species Recover
Copyright 2001 The Press Association
December 5, 2001
By Amanda Brown, Environment Correspondent, PA News
Plants, insects and animals which were once on the verge of extinction are now recovering after a multi-million pound cash boost by leading conservation groups, it was announced today.
English Nature, the Government's wildlife adviser, was celebrating the changing fortunes of species such as the star-fruit, a rare flowering plant with distinctive star-shaped seed heads which was reduced to one plant in a Surrey pond in 1991.
Now there are 70 known sites for the species thanks to a highly successful species recovery programme (SRP). Among those species which have been aided by the cash payout include the ladybird spider, one of Britain's rarest and most exotic-looking spiders.
Another, the handsome large-jawed wart-biter cricket, although never commonplace, had been reduced to four isolated populations totalling no more than 200 individuals. Experts believe that species recovery work almost certainly saved the wart-biter cricket from extinction in Britain.
Other species rescued include the large blue butterfly, which became extinct in Britain in 1979. Later, a programme of re-introduction began with butterflies brought from Sweden.
The red kite was possibly the most famous re-introduction in Britain. The dormouse was another beneficiary. Over the past 100 years, this shy animal has become extinct from seven counties - half of its former range, mainly because of changes in woodland management.
The public have now been given the chance to take part and look for signs of dormice through the Great Nut Hunt project.
English Nature chairman Sir Martin Doughty said: "The species recovery programme has stimulated a fresh and dynamic approach to plant and animal conservation.
"We are absolutely delighted to be celebrating these wildlife successes with our friends and partners.
"Together we have made a great contribution to looking after and improving England's wealth of wildlife, its biodiversity.
"These special animals and plants are every bit as threatened as tree frogs, leopards and giant pandas, and the places where they live are as special as the rain forests of South America or the great plains of Africa."