Yesterday (14 September), 63 native species projects have been granted a total of £14.5 million from Natural England in the Species Recovery Programme Grant Scheme. Some of England’s most threatened species, from butterflies to bats, will be supported by these massive grants.
Among the organisations awarded grants are the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) for their ‘Godwit Futures’ project on the Black-tailed godwit. This project will establish their future with captive breeding populations, which will then be used to supply these birds for translocation. WWT will rear and release twenty godwit fledglings in 2024.
Wildwood Trust was awarded two grants – one for their ‘Kentish Cough Reintroduction’ and another for ‘Saving Devon’s Native Crayfish.’ Returning choughs to the wild in Kent is the accumulation of over four decades of work and a population of 20-35 choughs are planned to be released to re-establish the core population.
The white-clawed crayfish project aims to safeguard the survival of this species which has suffered as a result of invasive species. Wildwood Trust are creating a sustainable hatchery to house their captive breeding programme – including the construction of a new protected ark site, and a public education display at Wildwood Devon.
We can’t wait to see these projects, among the others, come into fruition for the support and awareness of our precious native species.
Related Members
-
NewsRare Oxford Sandy and Black Piglets Born at Battersea Park Children's Zoo 3rd July, 2025New arrivals mark significant milestone in conservation efforts for rare native British breed. Battersea Park Children's Zoo is delighted to announce…
-
NewsBIAZA decry illegal ‘shotgun’ rewilding 1st July, 2025Illegal releases of beavers and lynx must stop says association representing conservation organisations involved in rewilding projects. Illegal…
-
NewsBIAZA Awards 2025 - The Winners! 27th June, 2025Each year, we recognise the achievements of BIAZA member zoos and aquariums across a wide range of categories in the BIAZA Annual Awards. Compiled below…