They say the island is home to a "very interesting combination of small mammals" which are found nowhere else in the world, one of which is 'the Guernsey vole' which is also known as a Mulot (Microtus arvalis sarniensis). The Guernsey vole is described as a close cousin to the European Common vole, but is only found on the island and is about 20% larger.

The students studying the presence of this vole said it is "still much of a mystery and very little is known about how it came to live on the island."

Ellie Scopes and Alex Hayward, from Imperial College London, are in the island now for their studies and will be here for two months to study these "cryptic and understudied small mammals."

They are planning to compare the genetics of Guernsey’s small mammals – including mice, shrews and voles - to those found in other countries to try and determine when and how they first came to live in Guernsey.

Miss Scopes and Mr Hayward are appealing to the Guernsey Community to help with their survey by providing specimens - which could be those provided by your own pet cat. They would like any shrews, voles or mice which are found dead, or brought in, to be donated. 

These can be dropped off at the Plant Health laboratory at Raymond Falla House in St Martin or at the GSPCA in St Andrews, between 09:00 and 16:00, Monday to Friday.

The students are being supported in their work by Julia Henney, Guernsey's Biodiversity Education Officer.

“The Guernsey vole is unique to Guernsey and yet we know so little about it" she said. "Ellie and Alex’s research will help shed light on these wonderful endemic animals and help advise how we can protect them in the future.”

For more information, visit smallmammalgroup.org