5 Endangered Animals in Wales

Our native biodiversity is in decline. The State of Nature Report, 2013, shows that 16% of the UK’s species are classified as threatened, with one in six at risk of extinction. The report states that the UK is one of the world’s most nature-depleted areas. 

ZooLab is passionate about raising awareness of our region's endangered animals. This is the third post in our series exploring each UK county, spotlighting at-risk species and the conservation efforts to protect them. 

Today, we are looking at five endangered animal species from Wales, where 18% of Welsh species are threatened with extinction.

5 Endangered animals in Wales

Eurasian Curlew

The Eurasian curlew is Europe’s biggest wader and was once an iconic sight in the Welsh countryside. The UK holds a quarter of the global population of these fantastic birds.  They inhabit a variety of different habitats, from mudflats, salt marshes, moorland, farms, and coastal regions.

Yet, Wales could face a local extinction within the next decade. In 2015, Curlews were added to the Red List on the UK Conservation Status Report. The BTO estimates that Wales currently holds 400 to 1700 breeding pairs, with populations declining at 6% every year; extinction could be as early as 2033 due to climate change, predation, habitat loss and degradation.

Conservation Efforts

Gylfinir Cymru launched a ten-year Wales Action Plan for the Recovery of Curlew in 2021. This includes monitoring key breeding sites, protecting nests from predation, and enhancing land management practices. In collaboration with Gylfinir Cyru, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park has funded surveying, predator fencing, and farming support.

Welsh Whitefish

Endemic to Bala Lake, Gwynedd, the Welsh whitefish is a native fish in the salmon family. It is believed that the species was left behind during the ice age, and shoals have inhabited the deeper areas of the lake for the past 10,000 years. Due to human activities, from farming practices that have deteriorated water quality to the introduction of invasive species, the future of the Welsh whitefish is under threat. 

Conservation Efforts: 

In 2007, fertilised Welsh whitefish eggs were successfully relocated to a new site to create a second population. Conservation efforts are ongoing to improve water quality and safeguard natural habitats, thereby reducing the presence of chemicals in the lake. 

Snowdon Beetle

Wales is home to a fantastic rainbow glacial beetle. The Snowdon beetle is found on Yr Wyddfa with an estimated population of 1000. Once also found on Cwm Idwal, the species has not been recorded here since 1980. Due to climate change, Snowdon beetles are being forced further up the mountain and will eventually have nowhere else to go. 

Conservation Efforts: 

Plantlife’s Vascular Plants Officer, Robbie Blackhall-Miles, is working to protect and revive populations of the Snowdon rainbow beetle and 11 other endangered plant and insect species from Eryri through changes to agricultural and grazing practices.

The BMC Access and Conservation Trust is taking part in a big clean-up, removing a decade’s worth of litter to improve habitat.  

Welsh Mountain Ponies

Mountain ponies have grazed Carneddau, Snowdonia, for 500 years and are the closest thing to wild ponies we have in the UK.  However, there are currently fewer than 1000 breeding mares left in the whole of Wales.  The species play an essential role in the Carneddau mountain and are classed as conservation grazers, maintaining plant and insect biodiversity. It is thought that the economic factors of maintaining and rearing the ponies have led to reduced breeding.

Conservation Efforts: 

The Welsh Pony and Cob Society promote Welsh breeds and encourages breeding programmes. They hold studbooks and breeding registries to preserve the breed's genetic diversity and distinct characteristics. 

Skomer Vole

On Skomer Island, off the coast of Pembrokeshire, a subspecies of bank vole resides. The Skomer vole (Myodes glareolus skomerensis) has evolved to be larger than those that inhabit the mainland; it is found nowhere else in the world. The Skomer vole conservation status is listed as Least Concern. It is thought that there are 20,000 Skomer voles inhabiting the island. However, as the species is endemic, its population faces higher risks from environmental changes such as severe weather, habitat loss due to shifts in land use, and predation if invasive species are introduced. 

Conservation Efforts: 

Volunteers for The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales manage the natural landscapes and habitats of the Skomer vole as part of their conservation tasks. In line with these efforts, the annual Skomer vole survey is conducted every year to monitor and record the species' population. Furthermore, the biosecurity of the island is closely monitored for invasive species through the use of monitored lures and regular visits from Biosecurity for Wales' conservation detection dog, Jinx. 

These animals are all adapted to their own unique environments within Wales. To learn more, check out our Habitats and Adaptations workshops.