Stonehenge could be toppled by moles if the climate change continues apace, a United Nations report claimed yesterday.
The world heritage site is one of many that is under threat, with other famous sites facing oblivion including the Statue of Liberty, Venice, Easter Island and the Galapagos Islands.
The report was produced by the Union of Concerned Scientists, the UN Heritage body Unesco and the United Nations Environment Programme who warned that warmer winters in the UK are likely to boost populations of moles, rabbits and badgers. As a result of their increased burrowing, they could disturb the prehistoric monuments in Wiltshire, some of which weigh more than 40 tonnes.
Stonehenge was one of 31 natural and cultural World Heritage sites in 29 countries in the report that are said to be vulnerable to increasing temperatures, melting glaciers, rising seas, more intense weather, worsening droughts and longer wildfire seasons.
Mechtild Rossler, director of Unesco’s World Heritage Centre, said: ‘Globally, we need to better understand, monitor and address climate change threats to World Heritage sites.’ – Daily Mail