Today there are only about 100 species of mammals (млекопитающее) in Britain.

Some of the larger mammals

(the wolf, the bear, the boar (кабан) and the

reindeer (северный олень)

have become extinct (вымерли).

There are few reptiles (пресмык.)and

amphibians (земноводные).

Different deer (red deerолень благородный, roe deer

косуля, fallow deerлань) protected for sporting reasons live in Scotland and wooden areas of Southern

England.

There are badgers (барсук) and many foxes in rural areas

Otters (выдра) are found along many rivers and streams.

Common and grey seals appear on various parts of the coast.

Smaller mammals include:

mice, rats, voles (полевка), shrews (землеройка), hedgehogs, squirrels, moles, rabbits, weasels (ласка), stoats (горностай)

Birds are numerous.

About 460 species of birds have been recorded in the British Isles.

All British wild birds are protected.

In 1889 a well-known charity, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (the RSPB), was formed with the aim of protecting wild birds.

The most common game birds are

1.the wild pigeon

2.Pheasant

3.Grouse (шотландская куропатка)

4.partridge (серая куропатка)

Most numerous are

the sparrow

blackbird

chaffinch (зяблик)

starling (скворец).

In Britain people visit:

farm parks, safari parks(=parks where people can drive close to lions, zebras and etc.), zoos, bird parks, and sealife centres.

There is also a well-known British charity, the

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:

It was formed in 1824.

Its aim is to make sure that the laws about protecting animals are followed.

It also tries to introduce new laws and gives medical care to animals.

Many British rivers used to have salmon, trout (форель), roach (плотва), perch (окунь), pike, and grayling (хариус).

They have become polluted, and inland fisheries (рыболовство) have gradually declined.

Freshwater fishing is now mostly for recreation and sport.

Chief offshore (в открытом море) species are:

Cod (треска), haddock (пикша), whiting (мерланг), mackerel (скумбрия), coalfish (сайда), herring, plaice (камбала).