The Return of the Goole Vole is a capitol idea

leftCol4 A colony of fifty water voles, which have been looked after in Devon for the past 18 months, have been released back into their original habitat at Oakhill Country Park, next to Capitol Park, Goole.

Capitol Park owners Sterling Capitol moved the voles to Devon on advice from ecologists to ensure their safety with a view to relocating them in a suitable habitat at a later date.

Martin Croxen, chief executive of Sterling Capitol, said today: "We are delighted the time has now come to release the voles back into their natural habitat. We have had to wait until we received the all-clear from the ecologists and the cold weather in April delayed our plans somewhat."

"The Country Park, which is situated behind Capitol Park, is a real asset to us. We are in the process of completing a management plan for the Country Park that covers everything from coach parking to how people can access the park from all areas," he explained.

Capitol Park, Goole, is a £200 million, 305-acre business park, which is situated by Junction 36 of the M62.

The 100-acre park will be criss-crossed with cycle trails and footpaths it is hoped that as much recreational space can be preserved whilst ensuring that sensitive areas for wildlife are strictly protected.

Martin Croxen said: "We are extremely lucky to have such a wildlife haven on our doorstep. We will be working in conjunction with the local council and other agencies to ensure that the benefits of the country park are widely accessible."

The release of the voles was done by environmental consultants Ecology Solutions in tandem with Derek Gow Consultancy Ltd, who have been looking after the water voles at a specialist facility in Devon since they were moved from site in the autumn of 2006. Derek Gow advise Natural England.

Ecology Solutions have been monitoring the ecology of the site on behalf of Sterling Capitol for the past nine months.

Dominic Farmer, director of Ecology Solutions, commented: "The return to the voles to their natural habitat in Goole is excellent news. It was important that they were looked after properly in the interim and conditions are now ideal for them to return.

"During the past nine months, we have carried out extensive monitoring of the site. Clearly we want the vole reintroduction to be a success and we feel the time is now right to do this."

Christopher Dickinson of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Countryside Access Team welcomed the return of this colony of water voles to Oakhill.

He said: "Water voles are a protected species, whose numbers have severely declined in the Yorkshire region. The Oakhill site is a wonderful natural resource, and a successful release of these endearing animals will further enhance and benefit biodiversity within the local area".

For further information, please contact Robert Beaumont of Robert Beaumont Associates on 01423 323139

22/05/2008