British Wildlife Insights 2025
The UK’s wildlife is under increasing pressure from habitat loss, climate change and human activity. Since 1970, UK species have declined by about 19% on average, and nearly 1 in 6 species (16.1%) are now threatened with extinction. Understanding how often certain species are seen in the wild, how concerned the public is about wildlife decline, and what actions people are taking to help is crucial for shaping conservation efforts.
Arbtech’s British Wildlife Insights 2025 Report provides a snapshot of the current state of British wildlife based on the experiences and attitudes of the UK public. Through a nationally representative survey, respondents shared which animals they have seen in the wild over the past five years, their level of concern about wildlife decline, and the steps they take – if any – to support local biodiversity.
These insights offer an important perspective on how wildlife populations may be changing, how engaged the public is in conservation efforts, and where further action is needed. By identifying which species are commonly spotted and which are becoming increasingly elusive, the findings can help guide strategies to protect and restore the UK’s rich biodiversity.
As the challenges facing wildlife continue to grow, understanding public attitudes and behaviours is more important than ever. This report aims to highlight key trends, and encourage positive action to ensure British wildlife thrives for generations to come.
A Snapshot of the Findings
As part of our British Wildlife Insights 2025 report, we surveyed 2,000 UK adults to explore their experiences with wildlife over the past five years. Respondents were asked which of the following animals they had seen alive and wild in the UK in the last five years:
In addition to asking about wildlife sightings, we also gathered insights into public concern for the reduction of wildlife in the UK, and the actions individuals are taking to support or protect local wildlife. Respondents were asked:
Here are some of the top-line findings from the survey:
The Results
Which, if any, of the following animals have you seen alive in the wild in the UK in the last five years?
(Select all that apply)
| Species | UK | ENGLAND | SCOTLAND | WALES | NORTHERN IRELAND | LONDON | EAST OF ENGLAND | EAST MIDLANDS | NORTH EAST | NORTH WEST | SOUTH EAST | SOUTH WEST | WEST MIDLANDS | YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox | 68% | 68% | 62% | 65% | 27% | 62% | 74% | 73% | 56% | 56% | 81% | 72% | 81% | 69% |
| Rabbit | 68% | 67% | 73% | 75% | 44% | 61% | 74% | 65% | 73% | 64% | 71% | 65% | 71% | 69% |
| Deer | 62% | 62% | 73% | 36% | 42% | 55% | 77% | 66% | 71% | 50% | 71% | 66% | 56% | 59% |
| Hedgehog | 52% | 53% | 42% | 66% | 29% | 30% | 64% | 64% | 65% | 54% | 50% | 56% | 56% | 63% |
| Owl | 43% | 43% | 40% | 55% | 18% | 43% | 51% | 42% | 40% | 42% | 35% | 45% | 45% | 55% |
| Bat | 42% | 42% | 33% | 51% | 22% | 40% | 48% | 43% | 41% | 45% | 39% | 43% | 45% | 46% |
| Hare | 28% | 28% | 32% | 25% | 22% | 25% | 42% | 30% | 35% | 29% | 22% | 26% | 24% | 32% |
| Seal | 23% | 22% | 34% | 21% | 42% | 18% | 31% | 18% | 40% | 18% | 19% | 19% | 15% | 25% |
| Badger | 21% | 21% | 22% | 16% | 13% | 21% | 23% | 20% | 13% | 15% | 23% | 30% | 28% | 17% |
| Snake | 20% | 21% | 17% | 14% | 25% | 39% | 22% | 13% | 21% | 16% | 16% | 22% | 14% | 12% |
| Mole | 12% | 11% | 13% | 14% | 2% | 12% | 13% | 12% | 15% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 15% | 11% |
| Otter | 9% | 9% | 14% | 11% | 33% | 10% | 6% | 9% | 13% | 7% | 6% | 8% | 9% | 5% |
| None of the above | 5% | 5% | 5% | 1% | 7% | 4% | 2% | 6% | 7% | 9% | 4% | 4% | 7% | 6% |
How concerned are you about the reduction in wildlife in the UK?
Concern for the reduction of wildlife in the UK is widespread, with 88% of respondents expressing at least some level of concern. Nearly half of the population (48%) are very concerned about the decline in wildlife, while 40% are fairly concerned. This strong sense of concern highlights the growing awareness of the challenges facing biodiversity in the UK, including habitat loss, climate change, and the pressures of urbanisation.
However, a smaller proportion of the population, 7%, are not very concerned, and just 1% are not concerned at all. This suggests that a small minority may either feel disconnected from the issue or believe the impact of wildlife decline is less immediate or severe.
Overall, the findings reflect a strong public interest in the preservation of wildlife, with the majority acknowledging the urgency of addressing the ongoing decline.
What actions, if any, do you take to support or protect local wildlife in your area?
The survey reveals that a significant number of people are actively taking steps to support or protect local wildlife, with nearly 40% leaving out food and water for wildlife and 39% gardening in a wildlife-friendly way, such as planting pollinator-friendly flowers and avoiding pesticides. These actions are crucial for supporting biodiversity, particularly as many species face challenges due to habitat loss and climate change.
A notable 32% of respondents provide shelter for wildlife, including bird boxes, hedgehog houses and log piles, offering essential safe spaces for animals to thrive. A smaller portion (20%) are donating to local wildlife charities - a critical source of funding for conservation work.
Surprisingly, 1 in 3 Brits (32%) take no action to support local wildlife, but 19% of these respondents expressed a desire to take action, even though they aren’t currently doing so, while 13% admitted they do not take any steps to help wildlife and have no plans to do so. This highlights a potential opportunity for increased education and engagement to encourage wider participation in conservation efforts.
Only 15% of respondents are actively involved in more hands-on conservation activities, such as volunteering or reporting wildlife sightings, showing that while awareness is high, direct involvement in wildlife conservation could be further encouraged. Overall, the findings highlight a strong base of support for wildlife protection, but there is still room for growth in terms of engagement and sustained action.
How Can Families Support and Protect Local Wildlife?
Leave Out Food and/or Water for Wildlife
Providing fresh water and suitable food can be a lifeline for local wildlife, especially during extreme weather conditions. Bird feeders stocked with seeds, nuts and suet balls help garden birds thrive, while shallow dishes of water benefit birds, hedgehogs and insects. Avoid feeding wildlife processed or salty foods, and instead offer natural options like mealworms or unsalted nuts.
Garden in a Wildlife-Friendly Way
A wildlife-friendly garden can provide essential resources for many species. Planting native wildflowers supports pollinators like bees and butterflies, while allowing some areas of grass to grow long creates shelter for insects and small mammals. Avoiding pesticides and herbicides helps maintain a healthy ecosystem, and composting garden waste can attract beneficial insects.
Provide Shelter (Bird Boxes, Bat Boxes, Hedgehog Houses, Bug Hotels)
Installing bird boxes, hedgehog houses and bug hotels gives wildlife safe places to nest and shelter. Hedgehogs, for example, need quiet, insulated spaces to hibernate during winter, while insects such as ladybirds and solitary bees benefit from bug hotels made of natural materials like wood, bamboo and straw.
Donate to Local Wildlife Charities
Supporting wildlife organisations through donations or fundraising helps fund conservation projects and rescue efforts. Many charities work to protect endangered species, restore habitats and educate communities about biodiversity. Even small contributions can make a big difference in helping wildlife conservation efforts continue.
Take Part in Conservation Activities
Getting involved in conservation activities is a great way for families to support wildlife. Joining local litter picks, tree planting initiatives or wildlife surveys helps protect and monitor species in the area. Families can also participate in citizen science projects, such as birdwatching surveys or butterfly counts to contribute valuable data to conservation efforts.
Methodology:
The survey was conducted by national research company OnePoll in March 2025 and completed by 2,000 UK respondents aged 18 and over.
The results are based on a representative sample and offer a reliable insight into wildlife sightings. However, as with all surveys, findings are subject to a margin of error.
All percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number.