THE LOVELORN water vole will face untold danger and travel miles to find a mate. Their persistence is rewarded with a partner but, as an added benefit, it helps to keep the species alive and well.
The plight of the lonely heart water vole was discussed at the Festival of Science in Aberdeen in the context of survival in a shrinking habitat. Many species were under pressure due to habitat loss due to human activity, said Prof Xavier Lambin of the University of Aberdeen.
He and colleague Chris Sutherland studied the movement of adolescent water voles across Scotland to understand how they dealt with a fragmented habitat.
Once the voles reached mating age they struck out on their own, he said. They must survive eagles and predator mammals in their travels. The journey was good for them but also for the voles left behind as it avoided inbreeding.
