This winter’s extreme flooding in the South West of England has caused significant immediate and long-term harm to local wildlife. Persistent storms and heavy rainfall have destroyed nests, drowned small mammals like hedgehogs and field voles, and swept away butterfly eggs and larvae, threatening a sharp decline in species populations this spring. Rescue groups report animals struggling to survive due to saturated ground and loss of shelter, while conservationists warn that repeated flooding events, exacerbated by habitat loss from development, are overwhelming wildlife resilience.

Experts emphasize that many species can cope with flooding only if they have access to higher ground and connected green spaces to escape rising waters. The flooding also disrupts breeding and food sources, with cascading effects up the food chain. Ecologists call for more natural flood defenses and wildlife-friendly habitats to mitigate future impacts, especially as climate change models predict more intense rainfall and storms. Public actions such as creating garden refuges, providing fresh water, and avoiding harmful chemicals can help support vulnerable species like hedgehogs during these challenging conditions.