Endangered Species in the UK



1. Hedgehog

Despite its coat of prickly, sharp spines, the hedgehog has become widely popular; domesticated hedgehogs are now highly sought after as a household pet. In rural Britain however, the native species has been in sharp decline over the past 70 years. In 1950, estimates suggested there were about 36 million individuals in the wild, but that number plummeted to a mere one million in 2013. The largest declines are recorded in the eastern half of the country.

Climate change-induced temperature rises and overall warmer winters have impacted their hibernation patterns, resulting in the mammal struggling to forage for food. Urban and road development have limited their natural habitats, particularly across farmlands. Ongoing conservation efforts include increasing the legal protection of hedgehogs in the Wildlife and Countryside Act and encouraging more wildlife-friendly gardens in urban landscapes.

7 of the Most Endangered Species in the UK in 2023

2. Red Squirrel

Once widespread and commonly found across the UK, the iconic red squirrel – with its signature russet brown fur and bushy tail – has since become a rare sighting as a result of invasive species and habitat fragmentation. The introduction of grey squirrels from North America in the early 20th century has devastated the population of the species. Grey squirrels are larger in size than its red counterparts, making them stronger competitors for foods like nuts and seeds. They’re also highly destructive; grey squirrels damage and strip tree barks, leaving trees vulnerable to disease and less habitat for red squirrels. The invasive species is also a carrier of the parapoxvirus, which is deadly to the red squirrel. Today, red squirrels are only found in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the far north of England with an estimated 140,000 individuals compared to several million grey squirrels across the UK. 

Response:  This is dogma and utter bilge. British Red squirrels were hunted to near extinction and then more imported from Europe to continue the 'shooting fun"! This is well documented IF you actually do any real research work and do not quote dogma. Red squirrels are still being killed on private estates as "vermin" and in forestry where they might devalue to trees that will be cut down for money. British Red squirrels as such became extinct in the 1860s and hunting records show how the imporeted Red were later killed in their hundreds -where do you think all the museum red squirrels come from?



3. Water Vole

This semi-aquatic rodent spends most of its day in rivers and streams, but digs burrows along riverbanks to rest at night, which helps maintain river ecosystems, as well as allow other animals and plants to thrive. Once found in almost every waterway in Scotland, England and Wales, water voles have seen a 94% drop in population within the past three decades and lost about 90% of its historic range, driving the species to the brink of extinction. The drastic population decline is attributed to the arrival and predation of the non-native American mink – for fur farming – and water pollution from industries. Though the mammal has three to four litters each year, it is not enough to keep pace with all the various threats to the species. However, UK conservation officials are taking measures to restore riverbanks, clean up waterways, and implement reintroduction programmes. 

Response: dogma again. Farming and other human activity started decreasing the population long before mink. Mink, like the Grey squirrel, badger and fox are noted for being "scapegoat species" -these are animals blamed for loss of wildlife species rather than humans accepting what THEY have done.



4. Beaver

It’s not all doom and gloom. Among this list of endangered species in the UK, the beaver has been on the road to recovery and slowly bouncing back from its status of being near extinction. Beavers are an important species as the dams they build for their homes double as a tool for filtering and cleaning water, thereby creating a healthy environment for richer biodiversity. But they were heavily hunted about 400 years ago for their prized pelt (and meat) in the fur trade. Coupled with water pollution, the semi aquatic mammal was all but extinct. Thanks to decades of conservation work and rewilding and reintroduction programmes in Devon and Scotland, beaver population numbers have been on the rise. 

Response: yes, correct. Hunting and killing for money as well as 'sport' and by land owners was responsible for beaver decline and they are STILL threatened.  Who polluted rivers? Oh, humans (I am sure someone will make a case for it being badgers).

5. Scottish Wildcat

With only about 115-315 individuals remaining in the wild, the Scottish Wildcat is one of the most critically endangered species in the UK. Twice the size of a domestic cat and much more ferocious, this feline species are mostly found today treading across the woodlands and pastures of the Scottish Highlands, hunting for small mammals, birds, invertebrates and even reptiles. 

Habitat loss from deforestation and animal trade have near decimated the Scottish wildcat population, but hybridisation has exacerbated the decline. When wildcats crossbreed with domestic (feral) cats, it dilutes the wildcat gene until it is completely wiped out. Some experts estimate that there are about 3,000 wild feral cats to every one purebred wildcat. To combat this, conservation organisations are working to neuter feral cats in the Scottish Highlands to help prevent crossbreeding.

Response: Here we go again. Quote from the quick answer internet. Wild cats were wiped out across the UK including Scotland officially by the 1860s.Humans hunted them, wiped them out then imported more from Europe to fill their shooting/'sport' land. Even in the 18th century it was declared that had feral domestic cats not been interbreeding with Old wild cats the species would have died out "Hundreds of years back" (1798).  Even the European wild cat on the Continent are likely 90% hybrids -I have written in my books and blog posts about this and it is all backed up by sources not some internet site.



6. Hazel Dormouse

This nocturnal golden-furred mammal is endemic to the UK but is now only found in Southern England, South Wales and along the English/Welsh border. The hazel dormouse is also an arboreal species, meaning they live primarily in trees, and feed mostly on fruits, nuts, tree flowers and insects. Due to deforestation and changing practices in woodland management, particularly in ancient woodland and hedgerows, the small rodent has lost significant habitats, becoming more isolated and vulnerable. Major habitat loss and fragmentations have resulted in a 75% population decrease over the last 25 years. Dormice are strictly protected by law and there are ongoing efforts to reintroduce to species in places they have been previously extinct. Though areas of suitable woodland habitat are scarce and long periods of supplementary feeding are required, organisations such as the People’s Trust for Endangered Species have successfully returned the hazel dormouse to 12 counties. 

Response: I have posted before that the UK, and particularly England, was once covered by huge forests and woodland areas which were destroyed by humans for profit and also 'sport' -driving wild animals out of cover to hunt. 



7. Grey Long-Eared Bat

As the name suggests, this particular bat species features ears nearly as long as its body and is incredibly rare in the UK – the country marks the northern edge of its range. It resides and hunts over grasslands, woodland edges for prey including moths, flies and small beetles at night. But urban development and land conservation for agricultural purposes have caused the grey long-eared bat to lose roosts – where bats rest – while traffic and artificial night lighting have increased the risk of vehicle collisions and impact hunting activities. Today, there are very few confirmed sightings of the species, including areas close to the coast in lowland areas of southern England and the Isle of Wight. They are also considered extinct in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. 

Response: She wrote it -"Humans did it"!

I need to add that there are birds at risk of becoming extinct such as the Turtle Dove (which the corrupt EU has now stated can be shot again)  -you can read more about birds "of concern" here 

https://www.bto.org/our-science/publications/birds-conservation-concern

And then we have the reptiles and amphibians:

"approximately one-third of amphibian and reptile species are facing extinction risks, with 4 out of 13 species considered "Threatened". The most critically endangered is the northern pool frog, while the natterjack toad, sand lizard, and smooth snake are also at high risk. Many other species, like the common toad and adder, are also experiencing population declines and are classified as "Near Threatened" or "Vulnerable". "

Read more here:

https://www.arc-trust.org/news/extinction-risk-defined-for-britains-amphibians-and-reptiles

"Many insect species in the UK are facing extinction due to habitat loss, pollution, and other environmental changes. Over 80% of UK butterfly species have declined since the 1970s, and half are now threatened or near-threatened. Additionally, a significant number of bee and hoverfly species have become less widespread since 1980. "

Plenty of articles online but you can start here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-31440646

Fish extinction? Read more here:

https://www.hull.ac.uk/work-with-us/more/media-centre/news/2023/action-needed-to-avoid-risk-of-extinction-for-seven-species-of-fish-in-britain-according-to-university-of-hull-research

There is more; much much more and while people sit back with their "someone ought to deal with this -I'm a bit busy" the corrupt politicians only see wildlife as photo opps or for publicity as they also sit back, take the bribes and corrupt deals and watch Green sites and woodland bulldozed by developers who want the land because "it looks pretty here -nice place for houses!"

Once the bulldozers move in it is too late.  As it stands the 2030s will see UK mass extinctions similar to that of the 1860s and in both cases humans are the cause.