Britain is home to a diverse range of wildlife, but many native species are dangerously close to disappearing forever.
From habitat loss to climate change, several factors are pushing these animals to the brink. The good news is that there are still places where you can catch a glimpse of them if you know where to look. Here are some of the UK’s most endangered animals and the last places you can see them with your very own eyes.
1. Scottish wildcat
With fewer than 300 left in the wild, the Scottish wildcat is one of the UK’s most endangered species. Often mistaken for a large domestic cat, these elusive predators are fighting for survival against habitat destruction and interbreeding with feral cats. They’re so rare that spotting one in the wild is almost impossible.
If you want to see them, the best place is the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland, where conservation efforts are underway. Breeding programmes and protected areas are giving these wildcats a fighting chance.
2. Red squirrel
Once common across the UK, red squirrels have been pushed to near extinction in England due to competition from the invasive grey squirrel. Habitat loss and disease have made things even worse, and their numbers have plummeted.
You can still find them in parts of Scotland, northern England, and Wales. The Isle of Wight and Formby in Merseyside are two of the best spots in England to see these iconic creatures.
3. Water vole
Made famous by *The Wind in the Willows*, water voles have seen a devastating population drop of around 90% in the last few decades. Pollution, habitat destruction, and predation by invasive mink have all contributed to their decline.
The best places to see water voles include the Riverbank in Kent and the wetlands of the Norfolk Broads. Conservation projects are helping reintroduce them in protected areas.
4. Hazel dormouse
These tiny, nocturnal rodents are a crucial part of the UK’s woodland ecosystems, but their numbers have been falling rapidly. Habitat fragmentation and changing land use have made it harder for them to survive.
The woodlands of southern England, particularly in Surrey and Devon, are some of the last strongholds for dormice. Conservationists are working to restore hedgerows and woodlands to give them a better future.
5. Hedgehog
Hedgehogs used to be a common sight in British gardens, but their numbers have dropped dramatically due to habitat destruction, road deaths, and a decline in insect populations. Urbanisation has made it harder for them to find safe places to live.
Community conservation projects across the UK are working to make gardens and green spaces more hedgehog-friendly. If you’re lucky, you might still see them in parks and gardens, especially in suburban areas with good hedgerow cover.
6. Flapper skate
Often called the “manta ray of the north,” the flapper skate is a huge, flat-bodied fish that has become increasingly rare in UK waters. Overfishing and habitat destruction have pushed it to the edge of extinction.
Protected areas in Scotland, particularly around the Inner Hebrides, are now some of the last places to find them. Conservationists are working to ensure their survival through marine protection efforts.
7. European sturgeon
Once a common sight in UK rivers, the European sturgeon is now critically endangered, with only rare sightings in British waters. Overfishing and habitat destruction have made it incredibly difficult for this ancient fish to survive.
Conservation efforts are focused on the River Severn, where reintroduction programmes are trying to bring this species back from the brink.
8. Capercaillie
The capercaillie is the world’s largest grouse, but in the UK, it’s in serious trouble. Found only in Scottish pine forests, its numbers have dropped due to habitat loss and human disturbance.
The best place to spot them is in the Caledonian Forest in the Cairngorms, where conservationists are working to protect their remaining population.
9. Long-eared bat
One of Britain’s rarest bats, the grey long-eared bat is incredibly difficult to find. These nocturnal creatures depend on unimproved grasslands, but habitat loss has made their survival increasingly difficult.
They are mainly found in the South West of England, particularly in Devon and Dorset, where conservationists are protecting roosting sites and foraging areas.
10. Marsh fritillary butterfly
Once widespread, the marsh fritillary butterfly is now one of the UK’s most endangered insects. Its decline is due to habitat destruction and climate change, which have disrupted its delicate lifecycle.
You can still spot them in conservation areas in Wales and the South West of England, where efforts to restore wildflower meadows are helping to support their recovery.
11. Atlantic puffin
These colourful seabirds are facing a worrying future due to climate change and food shortages. Rising sea temperatures are affecting their main food source—sand eels—leading to declining numbers.
The best places to see puffins are in Scotland, particularly on the Isle of May and the Farne Islands, where they return to breed each summer.
12. Natterjack toad
Unlike common toads, natterjacks are only found in a few scattered coastal areas in the UK. Habitat destruction has made it difficult for them to thrive, and their numbers have been steadily decreasing.
The best places to see them are in sand dunes and heathlands along the coast, particularly in North West England and parts of Scotland.
13. White-clawed crayfish
Britain’s only native crayfish is in serious decline due to habitat loss and competition from the invasive American signal crayfish. Pollution and disease have also contributed to their dwindling numbers.
They can still be found in clean, fast-flowing rivers in parts of England and Wales, particularly in protected conservation areas.
Seeing these endangered animals in the wild is a rare privilege, but it’s also a reminder of how fragile their existence has become. Conservation efforts across the UK are working to protect these species, but they need support. Whether it’s through habitat restoration, responsible tourism, or local conservation projects, small actions can make a big difference in ensuring these incredible animals don’t disappear forever.
