9
WWT Report and Financial Statements 2012/13
Our work on the tadpole shrimp has focused on
searching for undiscovered or lost populations and
understanding why they are present in few of the
available pools. We doubled the known number of
tadpole shrimp pools in the UK, and confirmed a
self-sustaining population at only the second pool in
England. With 18 months of data we are beginning to
understand the specialised needs of the species.
As part of the collaborative Great Crane Project, a total
of 57 birds had been released in Somerset by 2012, 51
of which were still alive. Birds are being monitored in
anticipation of possible breeding attempts and probable
flightless moult during 2013.
WWT continued to monitor causes of wildfowl mortality,
including due to lead poisoning through ingesting
shotgun pellets. This is one of the most significant
causes of mortality in wildfowl, and WWT is seeking
ways to reduce it.
WWT engaged actively with MPs and the Environment
Minister over a number of issues of concern to us. These
included: invasive non-native species (INNS); poisoning
of wildfowl by lead ammunition; the need for rapid
implementation of surface water management to reduce
flooding and pollution while delivering wildlife benefits,
and the need for energy generation from the Severn
Estuary to be sustainable. In January 2013 Defra finally
gained approval to take forward a ban on sale of five
aquatic plant species – WWT featured heavily in both
public and political support of this.
We engaged in a number of enquiries and consultations,
including the triennial reviews of Natural England (NE),
the Environment Agency (EA) and the Joint Nature
Conservation Committee (JNCC); the Law Commission
review of Environmental Regulations; the Environmental
Audit Committee enquiry into wildlife crime; the
consultation on Marine Conservation Zones, and the
Energy and Climate Change Committee enquiry into the
Severn barrage.
WWT chaired the Wildlife and Countryside Link ‘Blueprint
for Water’ campaign group and produced a scorecard
of government progress on policies that affect water
resources and wetlands, which was launched at the
Houses of Parliament.
Overseas
WWT worked with partners to implement a conservation
breeding programme for the Critically Endangered
Madagascar pochard. With 20 ducklings raised in
2012/13, there are now almost 80 Madagascar pochards
in the world (60 captive and 20 wild birds). There were
only 20 in autumn 2009. WWT research proved that
although nest success in the wild is high few birds
successfully fledge, apparently due to shortage of
invertebrate food. A potential reintroduction site was
identified after Rapid Rural Appraisals were undertaken
to review threats and human uses of candidate release
sites. Work with local communities was undertaken
to ensure sustainable wetland management, and site
restoration should benefit people, the pochard and
other Madagascan wildlife.
In Bulgaria WWT fieldwork investigated the potential
impact of wind farms on red-breasted geese. Two geese
were fitted with satellite tags to follow their migration to
and from their Russian breeding grounds, and nine with
“Thankfully, some of the most
destructive non-native plants
will no longer be on sale in
our garden centres. This is the
right move. The environmental
and economic cost of dealing
with this problem is already
huge and dealing with it
now is a great saving for
the future.”
Carrie Hume, Head of Conservation Policy
Photo: red-breasted goose, © WWT / Richard Taylor-Jones
