Chalk stream restoration paves the way for a historic reintroduction of endangered water voles to Surrey - The Rivers Trust
Extinct in the county for over 20 years, water voles have been released by South East Rivers Trust at Chamber Mead Wetlands and on the Hogsmill River, after restoration work improved the habitat condition enough to welcome these iconic river rodents back
In late July 2025, the Rivers Trust were delighted to join South East Rivers Trust as a new population of 50 endangered water voles was released at the Chamber Mead Wetlands and the Hogsmill River. They will be the first water voles living in the wild in Surrey for over 20 years.
South East Rivers Trust, The Rivers Trust, Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, local volunteers, MPs and more gathered to watch as several of the 50 water voles were carefully placed in soft-release pens; metal boxes dug into the riverbank, filled with bedding and some food. These pens are bottomless, allowing the water voles to get acquainted with their new surroundings and dig their way out over the next few days. Males and females, bred by Wildwood Trust, were released by Citizen Zoo in alternate pens along the Hogsmill and in the wetland, to maximise the voles' chances of finding a suitable romantic partner as they emerge and begin to grow the population.
Posted On: 01/08/2025
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