ONE of Britain's rarest and most highly threatened species is being helped by Colchester Zoo today.

ONE of Britain's rarest and most highly threatened species is being helped by Colchester Zoo today.

The zoo is working with the Centre for Environment and Rural Affairs at Writtle College to secure the future of Fisher's Estuarine Moth which is mainly found in the north Essex coast.

Areas of the moth's habitat are being lost each year and it is predicted that the threat will become even more severe as a consequence of sea level rise.

Conservation efforts have been focussed on providing new areas of habitat for the species inland and away from the threat of the sea and the new captive breeding programme at Colchester Zoo will provide a readily available supply of Fisher's Estuarine Moths for introduction at the newly created areas of habitat.

Rebecca Perry, conservation officer at the zoo, said: “Colchester Zoo is delighted to participate in the captive breeding programme of this threatened moth species and to contribute towards the stocking of new habitats in the wild.

“We are particularly keen to get involved in this project as it highlights the threatened status of native species here on our doorstep in Essex, and we value being involved in helping to secure the future of our local species.”