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Our Mission
Mammals Trust UK is dedicated to working
in partnership with voluntary organisations, wildlife experts, government and industry to
conserve wild mammals and their habitats throughout the British Isles.
Our Aims
To raise funds for research and practical conservation
based on sound scientific understanding
To increase public awareness, bring together all with an
interest in mammal conservation and share knowledge
To create opportunities for people to participate actively
in mammal monitoring and conservation projects across the UK
To manage key conservation sites to protect them for the
future and to create opportunities for education, recreation and enjoyment of our natural
heritage.
Fundraising and grant making
Mammals Trust UK raises funds from a variety of sources,
including individual supporters, trusts and industry. Grant-making decisions are steered
by an Advisory Group comprising representatives of voluntary organisations, statutory
agencies and independent scientific advisers, and chaired by Prof. John
Beddington, FRS.
Mammals Trust UK is administered as a restricted fund of
the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), registered charity no. 274206.
Current projects include the National Hedgehog Survey and
the Great Nut Hunt for dormice (in partnership with English Nature and Center Parks).
Mammals On Roads Survey 2002
Mammals Trust UK has just launched the Mammals On
Roads Survey 2002 in which motorists across the country are being asked
to keep a lookout for mammals, either dead or alive, on the roads.
The aim of the study, run in partnership with the
Joint Nature Conservation Committee, is to use this information to find
out just how our nation’s mammals are faring in the countryside.
By counting road kills, conservationists from MTUK
will be able to determine how many of each species is killed per mile,
giving an index of population abundance. By comparing the numbers of
animals seen year on year, it will be possible to register population
fluctuations.
This survey is an extension of last year’s
successful National Hedgehog Survey in which almost 6,000 volunteers
took part. This was the first time that monitoring road kills was used
as a conservation technique on such a large scale.
Almost 100,000 miles were surveyed across the UK,
from the Highlands to the Thames Valley. More than 800 foxes and
badgers, 5000 rabbits and 2600 hedgehogs were spotted during the
three-month survey.
Preliminary analysis of the results seems to
indicate a potential decline in hedgehog numbers in certain areas around
the country, although without follow up surveys such as this year’s
Mammals on Roads it will be impossible to find out if this observation
is part of a long term trend or a minor fluctuation.
Anyone interested in taking part in Mammals on Roads
survey should contact MTUK on 0207 498 5262 or checkout our website at http://www.mtuk.org
The survey will run from June until the end of
September 2002. |