The Bank of England has announced that four animals will be featured on redesigned banknotes in the future. The Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee, and European hedgehog were selected, although the specific banknote for each animal has not yet been determined. The owl, bumblebee, and hedgehog were chosen through a public vote, while the puffin was included to represent marine life and add variety to the notes.
Victoria Cleland, the Bank's chief cashier, stated, "We have chosen four distinct and inspiring animals that not only showcase the great variety of wildlife we have in the UK but will also enhance the security of our banknotes." A panel of wildlife experts created a shortlist of 18 species, which were then put forward for public nominations. Over 2.5 million votes were cast by 478,531 participants, including wildlife enthusiasts and primary school classes.
The buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) received 360,399 votes, leading the mammals category, while the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) was the most popular mammal. Although the red fox and common kingfisher received more nominations than the puffin, the puffin was chosen as the most popular marine animal.
The Bank indicated that the inclusion of these animals would add variety to the series, help distinguish denominations, and celebrate the British coastline. The puffin and bumblebee are also featured on redesigned coins from the Royal Mint.
Each of the selected animals will be the central image on a £5, £10, £20, or £50 note, which will also include other nature elements and potentially other shortlisted animals. The monarch's image will remain on the reverse side of the notes.
Rhys Phillips, the Bank's incoming chief cashier, noted that the design, testing, and printing process for the new banknotes could take years. He emphasized the need for high-quality, resilient, and accessible designs, which will be unveiled closer to their launch.
Currently, wildlife appears on banknotes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland, featuring species such as mackerel, otters, and red squirrels. This change marks the first time since 1970 that notable historical figures will not be featured on the reverse side of Bank of England notes. Currently circulating notes feature figures such as Sir Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner, and Alan Turing. The decision to replace Churchill's image has drawn criticism from some politicians, including Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch, who described the move as "a silly thing to do." The Bank stated that the primary reason for the change is to combat counterfeiting, necessitating the replacement of images over time.