Today (13th April) marks the launch of the latest Action for Species stamps series from the Royal Mail which this time looks specifically at the UK’s mammal population and their struggle for survival, and which features both the sperm and humpback whale.

The two species of whale, which spend part of their life cycle in UK territorial waters, were included along with the hedgehog, brown long-eared bat and the dormouse, all the subject of conservation programmes due to the effect of a variety of adverse changes in their environment.

Julietta Edgar, Head of Special Stamps, Royal Mail said: “The Mammals issue is a great example of how special stamps can combine a series of beautiful images, and deliver a powerful conservation message to millions of customers every day.

“Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of conservation groups and the public, the UK’s mammal population benefits from legal protection and active conservation measures resulting in encouraging signs of recovery.”

The Action for Species series began with Birds in 2007 and continued with Insects in 2008 and Plants in 2009.

You can hear WDCS international head of science, Mark Simmonds talking about the stamps and each species of whale on BBC Five Live’s breakfast news programme here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00s06d1/5_live_Breakfast_13_04_2010/

– scroll to 0.54 minutes.

Stamps will be available to order from: www.royalmail.com/stamps or by calling Royal Mail on 08457 641 641, and at Post Offices.

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