Local people making their corner of rural Britain unique
This week
Saturday 14 October 2006
In this week鈥檚 Open Country, Helen Mark travels to Herefordshire鈥檚 Golden Valley to see the re-introduction of the water vole into the River Dore.
Over the past century, the British water vole population has decreased by 95%. A combination of the introduction of mink and decline of river habitats has caused this once robust animal to be one of the country鈥檚 most threatened.
, a water vole breeder guides Helen through the release process.
Helen also discovers that The Dore was once one of the most productive trout rivers in England. But over the last 30 years, the wild trout and grayling populations have declined. And it鈥檚 partly due to the decline of the industry. Find out why by clicking on the listen again button.
But now the river has been regenerated by the The Alder trees have been coppiced, the mink are being controlled and water voles are being released. Join Helen as she rediscovers the natural history of the which many thought had been lost for good.
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