The RSPCA has welcomed the Bank of England’s announcement that future banknotes will feature wildlife – and says it’s the perfect opportunity for some of the country’s more “under-appreciated” animals to get their moment in the spotlight.
The charity says some of the UK’s wildlife are often misunderstood, and even unfairly labelled as “pests”. But they hope the new banknotes could help change perceptions and encourage people to see the value of all wildlife.
Geoff Edmond, wildlife expert at the RSPCA, said: “Showcasing our native wildlife on everyday banknotes is a wonderful way to celebrate the animals that we share our towns, cities and countryside with – including the ones who don’t always make the ‘most-popular’ lists.
“While some animals are obvious favourites, there are many amazing animals that we see everyday that are often overlooked, or misunderstood. What about the pigeons who have been our friends for thousands of years, or rats, with their amazing memories, or even gulls, with their amazing levels of intelligence? They are all fascinating wild animals in their own right – and deserve recognition too.”
According to the charity’s Animal Kindness Index, the public now identify protecting wildlife as the top issue they wish to see the RSPCA address – backing up the UK’s reputation as a home to wildlife and nature lovers.
Geoff added: “Brits love wildlife – and animals like foxes, gulls, rats, and pigeons are clever and adaptable, and each have their own interesting personality.
“Rats have been trained to detect disease and locate landmines, while pigeons played key roles in both World Wars, carrying messages – and we think that’s worth celebrating.”
Fun facts about our native wildlife
Foxes
Foxes wag their tails when they’re happy, just like dogs
They have over 40 different sounds to communicate how they’re feeling
Gulls
There is no such thing as a seagull – there are many different gull species in the UK, and not all of them live by the sea
Gull families have their own unique call to identify each other
Pigeons
Humans first domesticated pigeons over 5,000 years ago and were originally bred for food and trained to carry messages
They are social birds, and are usually seen in pairs or in larger groups
Rats
Rats have highly developed senses of smell, hearing and touch
They also have incredible memories – learning quickly and memorising routes and pathways. They can even remember people!
Geoff added: “At the RSPCA we’re fortunate to have volunteers across the country supporting wildlife and animal welfare.
“Anyone who wants to make a difference can sign up to become an RSPCA Wildlife Friend – even a few minutes or a couple of hours can help create a kinder world for every animal.”
