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| Water voles return to RSPB reserve in Strathspey | Water voles return to RSPB reserve in Strathspey |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Water voles have been recorded in a part of the Highlands for the first time in 20 years. | Water voles have been recorded in a part of the Highlands for the first time in 20 years. |
| The population has been spotted at RSPB Scotland's Insh Marshes reserve in Strathspey. | |
| The charity said it believed efforts to eradicate non-native American mink had helped to encourage the return of the rare animals. | The charity said it believed efforts to eradicate non-native American mink had helped to encourage the return of the rare animals. |
| Water vole numbers have dropped by 90% in the UK over the past 40 years, with predation a key factor for the decline. | Water vole numbers have dropped by 90% in the UK over the past 40 years, with predation a key factor for the decline. |
| The mammals were wiped out along the main stem of the River Spey in Strathspey, with only a few holding on in isolated pockets in the hills and headwaters. | The mammals were wiped out along the main stem of the River Spey in Strathspey, with only a few holding on in isolated pockets in the hills and headwaters. |
| Since 2011, the Scottish Mink Initiative has eradicated mink from large parts of northern Scotland, including the Cairngorms National Park and Insh Marshes. | Since 2011, the Scottish Mink Initiative has eradicated mink from large parts of northern Scotland, including the Cairngorms National Park and Insh Marshes. |
| RSPB Scotland said this had allowed water voles to re-establish themselves in those areas. | RSPB Scotland said this had allowed water voles to re-establish themselves in those areas. |
| In the first couple of years of the initiative, about 30 mink were caught at Insh Marshes, near Kingussie. | In the first couple of years of the initiative, about 30 mink were caught at Insh Marshes, near Kingussie. |
| The new population of water voles was discovered in July, during a survey at the site by RSPB officer James Silvey. | The new population of water voles was discovered in July, during a survey at the site by RSPB officer James Silvey. |
| He said: "Water voles are extremely important mammals because they're a really good sign of a healthy wetland environment and, rather unfortunately for them, they're also an important link in the food chain. | He said: "Water voles are extremely important mammals because they're a really good sign of a healthy wetland environment and, rather unfortunately for them, they're also an important link in the food chain. |
| "It's great to see them returning to Strathspey and we are hopeful this population will go from strength to strength." | "It's great to see them returning to Strathspey and we are hopeful this population will go from strength to strength." |