The announcement that wildlife will feature on the next series of Bank of England banknotes has sparked discussion across the UK, with the RSPCA unveiling playful mock-ups showing how some of Britain’s most overlooked animals could appear on future currency.
The animal welfare charity released conceptual designs featuring pigeons, foxes, gulls and rats on the familiar £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes. While not official designs, the charity says the images aim to highlight species often misunderstood by the public and encourage discussion about the wildlife that shares the UK’s towns, cities and countryside.
The Bank of England recently confirmed that wildlife will replace historic figures as the theme for its next generation of banknotes. A national consultation planned for the summer will allow members of the public to suggest which animals should appear on the redesigned notes.
RSPCA Highlights “Undervalued” Wildlife
According to the RSPCA, the mock-ups were created “as a bit of fun” but also to challenge perceptions around animals frequently labelled as pests.
Geoff Edmond, wildlife expert at the RSPCA, said the banknotes offer a rare opportunity to showcase native wildlife in a highly visible way.
“These notes are a bit of fun, but we hope they will bring to life how our money could look when celebrating the wild animals we share our towns, cities and countryside with,” he said.
“The new banknotes are a great opportunity not only to showcase native wildlife but also to think about the many amazing animals we see every day that are often overlooked or misunderstood.
“Pigeons, foxes, gulls and rats often split opinion and are sometimes unfairly labelled as pests, but they are fascinating wild animals in their own right and deserve recognition too.”
Public Consultation Planned
The Bank of England is expected to invite the public to help decide which species should feature on the new banknotes, opening a nationwide conversation about the wildlife that defines the British landscape.
The RSPCA hopes the consultation will encourage people to reflect on the role animals play in local ecosystems and communities.
Edmond added that the discussion could help shift perceptions and increase appreciation for species that are often taken for granted.
“The consultation will be a great opportunity to have a big discussion about nature and wildlife, change perceptions of some species and develop the nation’s collective love for wildlife of all shapes and sizes,” he said.
Supporting Local Wildlife
Alongside the mock-ups, the RSPCA is encouraging members of the public to support wildlife through its Wildlife Friend programme, which connects volunteers with conservation and animal welfare initiatives across England and Wales
