Wednesday, July 7, 1999 Published at 10:11 GMT 11:11 UK
'Alien' trouble for UK mammals
Hedgehog numbers are declining across the UK
Native British mammals are in a "parlous" state, according to a survey by the UK's Mammal Society. The organisation says there has been a decline in numbers which has been masked by increasing quantities of "alien" invaders.
The survey shows 19 of the 60 species of land mammal in Britain are declining. The society puts the blame mainly on habitat destruction.
"Indigenous species are suffering more than introduced ones. Five of the seven species that have recently undergone a large increase are ones that have been introduced to the UK from abroad."
These include rabbits, grey squirrels, American mink and Sika deer. The UK is still gaining new species - only recently feral pigs (which may or may not be true wild boar) were found living wild in southern England, having escaped from farms.
Range of threats
The report, called The State of British Mammals, examines the populations of 44 terrestrial mammals as well as the 16 bat species, two coastal seals and various offshore whales and dolphins.
They face a range of threats including disease, predation, pesticides and pollution, poaching, climate change, road deaths, and interbreeding with similar species.
"Mountain hares are still being shot to reduce disease levels in red grouse," says Professor Harris. "Of the 16 bat species, the mouse-eared bat has become extinct and several more appear to have undergone substantial declines."
The Mammal Society says the success of conservation work for the otter, which has now gone back to many of its former haunts after suffering from DDT poisoning and excessive hunting, shows that it is possible to reverse the declines that many British mammals are currently facing.
The Mammal Society is releasing its report to coincide with the first ever National Mammal Week, which aims to bring the state of British mammals to attention of the wider UK public.