Our history

We aim to raise awareness of the issues mammals face, sharing our scientific research so they can be best protected in the future.

1954 – The society was formed under the name of The Mammal Society of the British Isles (TMSBI) following a meeting of prominent zoologists, naturalists and the Zoological Society of London.

1656 - A Field Guide to British Deer, our first book, was published.

1963 – The Deer Group separated from TMSBI, now known today as The British Deer Society.

1964 - The first edition of The Handbook of British Mammals was published.

1965 - The National Distribution Scheme launched, allowing society members to submit their records of mammal sightings.

1967 – Society renamed to The Mammal Society.

1970 - The Mammal Review began, filling gaps in current literature and aiding understanding of UK mammals, including sharing some of the first provisional mammal distribution maps and the production of the earliest national atlas for any British Mammals.

1977 - The first national otter survey was initiated.

1979 - The first National Harvest Mouse Survey took place, indicating areas of decline, with surveys continuing into the future.

1990 – The Bat Group separated from The Mammal Society, now known today as The Bat Conservation Trust.

1991 – The Sea Watch Foundation was set up.

1995 – The development and establishment of Local Mammal Groups began.

1999 – The first National Mammal Week took place, showcasing events and activities to raise awareness of British Mammals and their protection.

2004 – Celebration of 50 years of the society.

2004 – Launch of the University Mammal Challenge.

2006 - Production of our first newsletter - Shrew News, later renamed to Mammal Musings.

2009 - Mammal Notes launched.

2011 - The Mammal Society contributed to the CIEEM Competencies for Species Survey on mammals.

2013 – Launch of the Members’ mentor scheme to help with questions from members.

2015 - Mammal Communications launches in its current form (previously Mammal Notes).

2018 – Britain’s Mammals The Mammal Society’s Guide to their Population and Conservation Status published, providing an estimate of the population size of each terrestrial mammal in Britain using data from 1995 – 2016 / Mammal Mapper App launched in May 2018.

2019 - The State of Nature Report is published, including the Mammal Society as a partner, documenting how human impacts are driving sweeping changes in wildlife in the UK

2020 - Red List of British Mammals published, finding that ¼ of UK mammals are threatened with extinction / The Atlas of the Mammals of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was published, covering data gathered from 2000 to 2016.

2021 - In collaboration with the University of Sussex, Mammal Society research reveals that four in seven UK mammal species are found to be plastic positive.

2022 - The 6th National Otter Survey of England takes place - the first Otter Survey since 2009/10.

2023 - The first National Harvest Mouse Survey report, showing results from the 2021/22 season, is released.

2024 - Celebrating 70 years of the society.