Water voles could be making a comeback in Nottinghamshire three years after experts warned they were at risk of dying out.
Numbers of the animal, made famous by the character of Ratty in the Wind in the Willows novels, decreased by a fifth between 2011 and 2013.
But a new survey by the Canal and River Trust has identified 16 new breeding sites in the East Midlands, including the Grantham Canal in Notts.
Experts say the discoveries are encouraging, but warn there is a long way to go before the animal can be considered safe.
Video: Steve Adams captured a water vole on camera by the Grantham Canal in Notts
Imogen Wilde, an ecologist for the trust, said: “They were once a very common species that would be found on most watercourses, unfortunately over the years there have been massive declines.
“At one point they really were thought to be on the verge of extinction so there have been major efforts over the last few years to try to increase their numbers.”
Pollution, development and predators including domestic cats are thought to be behind the decline.
Over the summer the trust asked people in Notts to record vole sightings using a mobile app, which has led to a better picture of the true population.
Stephen Hardy from the trust added: “From a planning point of view it’s really helpful.
“The findings of the survey are really exciting and encouraging.”
