Photographers fear the animals they spend their time snapping could soon be wiped out.

A State of Nature in Kent report published in July warns that of the almost 3,700 species in the county that have had their threat status assessed, 372 are threatened with extinction.

Of these, 201 are said to be vulnerable, 118 endangered and 53 critically endangered.

Jenny-Louise Read works as a pet photographer in Folkestone, but she says taking pictures of wild animals is more of a rush.

"To think that we might lose some of these species is absolutely heartbreaking," she told KentOnline.

"There are so many species that are going downhill so fast.

"That’s one of the reasons why I do animal photography because, in 20 to 30 years' time, the animals I’ve photographed now, are they going to be around for our kids and grandkids to see?"

Water voles, beavers, turtle doves, hedgehogs and bumblebees are among the species at risk.

The report calls for government action to address environmental issues, particularly in regards to Kentish coasts and waterways.

With almost 180,000 new homes expected to be built across the county in the next nine years, the experts who penned the document say the greatest pressure faced by wildlife comes from the significant levels of growth.

Louise Slack, from Canterbury, thinks if people spent more time out in nature, there would be greater levels of concern around the threat faced.

“The way I see nature being treated makes me embarrassed to be a human being,” the art teacher argued.

“We’ve got to start taking better care of what we’ve got.

“I’ve seen buzzards, king fighters, woodpeckers in the wild, but I worry that my grandson will grow up and he won’t be able to see these wonders."

In the report's conclusion, Paul Tinsley-Marshall and Chloe Edwards, of Kent Wildlife Trust, set out what action should be taken going forward.

"We must continue to protect the county's special places, ensuring that the best examples are resilient and can provide a kick-start to nature’s recovery," they said.

"Every effort needs to be made to ensure no further loss or deterioration of key habitats, and to buffer them.

"To do this we will need to continue to rigorously implement protections provided through planning and policy and facilitate improved direction and guidance for the county’s planners, developers and local politicians.

"This is in addition to keeping up the pressure on industries that facilitate the spread of invasive and non-native species, pests and diseases, and pollute the environment."