Marple waterlife is in trouble! There are not many female mallards left and those mothering ducklings lose them within a few days of hatching; and their own lives too sometimes! All waterlife is affected, with water voles disappearing long ago.

All this is because of the continuing spread of American mink. They look like a thin, almost-black cat often with a white chin patch. They are known as an INNS - invasive, non-native species - and are causing massive loss to our native wildlife. Mink adapt to their habitat, almost anything within reach will be taken, from mammals such as water voles and rabbits to water birds like moorhens, kingfishers to ducks and fish. Because mink are an invasive species and there is no natural predator in the UK to keep them under control our wildlife urgently needs our help.

We are enlisting the help of the Waterlife Recovery Trust to help trap mink in Marple. They are the leading organisation for this and work in conjunction with all the water related authorities/trusts/charities. Their nationwide, inspiring story is at Waterlife Recovery Trust - https://www.waterliferecoverytrust.org.uk/

£3000 will buy 7 smart raft traps and training for those of us monitoring them.

We greatly appreciate any donation you're able to make! Thank you!