Priority Mammals (UK Biodiversity Action Species)
In the British Isles, several species of mammal have undergone serious decline, and whose status is unkown, but possibly vulnerable. Several mammals are listed as UK Biodiversity Action Plan priorities. The Mammal Society works to help them as lead biodiversity partner for mammals.
The UK Biodiversity Action Plans (UK BAPs) were published in 1994 and updated in 2007 by the UK government following the signing of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992 at the Rio Summit, to provide detailed plans for the conservation and recovery of the most threatened species and habitats.
In 2012 the UK BAP partnership became focussed Country Biodiversity Strategies, under the new UK Biodiversity Framework. There were 18 terrestrial BAP mammals (inc. bats), and 21 marine mammals in a grouped plan, on which the new framework also focusses.
For most species on the list, including the otter, dormouse, water vole and bats, there is published information on surveying and threat mitigation. In 2012, The Mammal Society recently published extensive guidelines for the following species, for which previously there was no guidance available:
Our guidelines also discuss requirements for further research to questions still unanswered. As new research generates new information, we will publish all updates here. The Mammal Society is also working to encourage research and surveying to answer these questions.