Global News - February 2008
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Water voles to gain legal protection
Wed 27 February 2008 13:00 UK — Europe,Other
Water voles in the UK are to be given legal protection after a rapid decline in their numbers over the past 20 years.
The government has announced plans to make it a criminal offence to kill or disturb the rodents, while developers hoping to build on the vole's habitat will have to re-home them first.
It is envisaged that the new legislation, which gives the voles the same rights as otters, will come into force on April 6th, with Alastair Driver, of the Environment Agency, telling the Times that the change was vital for the animal's future.
"It not only serves to minimise deliberate persecution and accidental poisoning, but also clarifies the law for planners and developers," he said.
"Water vole populations have declined by 90 per cent since 1990 and this added protection will make a real difference to the work being done to conserve this charismatic species."
Other species to be granted additional protection from April include angel sharks and two species of seahorses.
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