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University Mammal Challenge (UMAC)

UMAC is an annual competition where student teams monitor mammals on their campuses, and compete for prizes—all while raising awareness about the importance of protecting UK mammals

UMAC 2024 team the Silwood Spotters.

Take action. Protect wildlife. Have fun.

Biodiversity is under threat, and it’s not enough to just watch, we need to act. The University Mammal Challenge (UMAC) gives students the chance to make a real difference.

What is the University Mammal Challenge?

The University Mammal Challenge (UMAC) is the Mammal Society’s annual competition for teams of up to five students from universities and colleges across the UK. Teams survey mammals using approved methods, collect valuable data, and engage their communities in conservation.

Whether you’re recording sightings, running events, or sharing your team’s journey on social media, you’ll be contributing to UK mammal conservation, all while enjoying a friendly competition. With prizes, skills development, and a chance to make a real impact, it’s a challenge you don’t want to miss!

UMAC 2026

In 2026, almost 50 teams signed up to take part. Collectively, they:

  • Logged 4,272 ad hoc sightings on Mammal Mapper, more than double the UMAC 2025 total of 1,519, and completed 174 line transects

  • Classified more than 24,000 sequences via MammalWeb, more than eight times the UMAC 2025 total

  • -Completed 145 footprint tunnel surveys, 677 camera surveys, 37 acoustic surveys, and six small mammal trapping sessions

  • Hosted 30 student-led events and raised £727 for the Mammal Society

  • Contributed more than 75 posts to @MammalSocietyYouth on Instagram, generating 60,000 views during the challenge

UMAC 2027 is currently in development. We’re using this period to refine resources, build partnerships, and prepare for our biggest challenge yet. Full details for next year’s competition will be added from autumn 2026.

We’re actively looking for sponsors and collaborators who want to support student conservation and help us take UMAC to the next level. To get involved, email fiona@mammal.org.uk.