Winter chill kills off thousands of wild animals

The Royal Horticultural Society said freezing conditions meant many mammals and birds died of starvation, due to frozen food sources

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Thousands of wild animals died during the cold snap.

The Royal Horticultural Society said freezing conditions meant many mammals and birds died of starvation, due to frozen food sources.

Others were overcome by dehydration because ponds and streams were iced over.

In the first half of the mild winter, many animals were tricked into not hibernating.

Helen Bostock, of the RHS, said: “Hedgehogs, dormice, toads, frogs, newts and pipistrelle bats all normally hibernate from mid-November, but have not been doing so.

“It also affected rabbits, voles and birds that cannot maintain body temperatures, such as the longtail tit.

“Nature is cruel. The cold will have killed off weak, old and sick creatures and those in good health but unable to find food or water.”

Woodland Trust spokesman Chris Hickman said: “Plants and trees that had early spring growth face being destroyed or damaged.”

I haven't seen lucky Ludo this year I hope he has gone off to make plenty of babies