Two Young Wildlife Ambassadors to Trek 154km in the Scottish Highlands to Map Elusive Mammals
In an ambitious and inspiring effort to protect the UK’s wild mammals, Felix Ford and Liane Rouys, both 18 and Youth Ambassadors for the Mammal Society, will embark on a 154km wildlife survey along Scotland’s iconic West Highland Way from 23rd to 30th June 2025.
Armed with sleeping bags, tents, and boundless enthusiasm, the pair will be camping each night while documenting signs of mammal life — including tracks, scat, burrows, and feeding marks — through the Mammal Mapper app, a citizen science platform that enables anyone to contribute to biodiversity research. Their journey will stretch from Milngavie to Fort William, traversing some of the UK’s most varied and under-recorded landscapes: lowland moors, woodlands, forests, rivers, waterfalls, and Highland hillsides.
Why It Matters
Mammals in the British Isles are increasingly at risk. One in four native species is now threatened with extinction. Yet these creatures are notoriously difficult to monitor due to their shy, nocturnal, and often subterranean lifestyles — leaving large gaps in essential population and habitat data.
This lack of information hinders conservation work. Efforts to combat threats like habitat loss, road collisions, disease, and climate change rely on accurate data, which is currently sorely lacking in rugged and remote regions like the Highlands.
The Power of Citizen Science
That’s where citizen scientists — like Liane and Felix — step in. Using the Mammal Mapper app (available for free on Android and iOS), walkers and nature lovers can log sightings or signs of mammals. These records, especially when submitted with photos, are verified by experts and added to national biodiversity databases, feeding into critical research and public conservation planning.
The Highlands remain one of the least surveyed regions due to their isolation, making this youth-led trek even more valuable.
From Ferries to Forests
Felix and Liane are already seasoned naturalists. In 2024, they conducted marine mammal surveys on the Ullapool-Stornoway ferry route and helped launch the Mammal Society’s new Junior Membership programme, aimed at getting more young people involved in wildlife recording.
Their goal for this expedition isn’t just scientific — it’s inspirational. They want others to download the Mammal Mapper app, start looking for signs of wildlife in their local areas, and get involved in conservation, no matter their age or background.
A Symbolic Fundraising Goal
Alongside their survey work, Liane and Felix hope to raise £5,133 to support the Mammal Society. The number is symbolic: Liane calculated that 5,133 blue whales — each roughly 30 metres long — would stretch the same length as the West Highland Way.
That figure also represents up to half the estimated global blue whale population, which has plummeted from over 100,000 to just 10,000–25,000 today. Their goal: £1 for every “blue whale walked.”
How to Help
Whether you’re a seasoned wildlife recorder or someone who just enjoys a weekend stroll, you can support Felix and Liane by:
- Donating to their fundraising page (link to be provided by the Mammal Society)
- Downloading the Mammal Mapper app
- Recording sightings or signs of wild mammals in your area
- Spreading the word about citizen science and wildlife conservation
The Mammal Society also provides training resources and links to local Mammal Groups, so anyone can get involved — from complete beginners to budding biologists.
As the UK’s wild mammals face mounting challenges, efforts like Liane and Felix’s are not just commendable — they’re urgently needed.
Follow their journey, support their mission, and maybe even start your own.