Scientists go on 'mammal hunt'

Scientists from Chester Zoo are looking for rare wildlife in a Cheshire park as part of a two-day mammal hunt.


Naturalists from the zoo and Cheshire Mammal Group are undertaking the survey in 100-acres around Nunsmere Hall Hotel at Oakmere, near Northwich.

Experts believe the mere is one of the last oases of the Mersey Forest and hope it provides habitat for a wide diversity of animals.

It is hoped they will find signs of water voles, stoats and polecats.

Polecats were once hunted because they preyed on game but now their numbers are increasing, experts said.

They are more usually found in north Wales.

Sarah Bird, Chester Zoo's biodiversity officer, said: "Apart from the mammals the naturalist in the group will also be taking a look at the general wildlife including plants, insects and birds.

"There may be lots of interesting wildlife we will certainly be looking out anything exciting and unusual."

Ms Bird and her team are involved in a wide range of local wildlife conservation projects, including work with dormice, and a project in Denbighshire studying the colony of 160 rare lesser horseshoe bats.

Humane small mammal traps will be placed in the grounds at night and checked each morning and evening during two days. Once the animals have been logged they will be released back into their natural environment.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/8657095.stm