Boost for water voles in Llanelli
Letting the grass grow has led to a new home for endangered water voles in Llanelli. The population of the species has declined by over 90 per cent in the UK, but they are hanging on in the ditches and wetland areas around Llanelli. A partnership of organisations – Carmarthenshire County Council, the Countryside Council for Wales and Environment Agency Wales - are working together in the Llanelli area to help one of the most endangered mammals in the UK. Loss and fragmentation of their habitat have been significant causes of their decline and now water voles and their habitat are protected by law. Recently, there were signs of water vole burrows at an unexpected site in the grassland alongside Delta Lakes, adjacent to the A484. The grassland is managed by the council and is regularly mown. However the best solution to help the water voles was to stop mowing the grass alongside the lake. This will allow a habitat to form that will help the water voles and provide them with valuable feed...