The new faces of Royal Animail: New stamp collection featuring Britain's at-risk mammals is released

The new faces of Royal Animail: New stamp collection featuring Britain's at-risk mammals is released

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 12:02 AM on 13th April 2010

Next time you post a letter, you can send it by first class hedgehog - or polecat, if there's a rush. The little creatures star in the latest series of Royal Mail stamps, released today. The series, which highlights Britain's declining mammal population, also features dormice, bats, otters, humpback whales and sperm whales, and water voles (better known as Ratty from the Wind in the Willows).

According to the Mammal Society, many of the species are in danger after losing their habitat to farming, pollution, growth in roads and housing. The collection is the fourth in Royal Mail's Action For Species series, which has previously featured birds, insects and plants. Royal Mail head of special stamps, Julietta Edgar, said the images were designed to deliver 'an important conservation message through millions of letter boxes'.



Paul Wilkinson of The Wildlife Trusts, a group of charities which focus on habitat conservation, said: 'Many are enthused and inspired by imagery of these creatures; sleeping dormice, sleek otters and the adorable water vole.
'But some may not be aware of the work which goes on behind the scenes to ensure there is adequate and suitable habitat for them.' The Mammal Society said Britain and its coastline is home to more than 60 species of mammals and while many are thriving, others have seen their populations decline. Even the seemingly prevalent hedgehog has seen a fall in numbers.



The series of stamps has been released to coincide with the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) - a United Nations conservation initiative.



Dr Robert Bloomfield, UK co-ordinator of the IYB, said: 'These stamps illustrate that even some of the most loved UK species, which we consider common or familiar, are under threat.





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