A Toad Is a Perfect Tenner: Experts Recommend Wild Candidates for New Banknotes蟾蜍是完美的十英镑候选：专家建议将野生动物印上新钞票

The Bank of England has announced that native British wildlife will appear on the next generation of banknotes, replacing the historical figures currently depicted on currency.

the five, ten, twenty, and fifty pound notes.

Although the specific animals have yet to be determined, a panel of wildlife experts and academics will compile a shortlist for public consultation later this summer.

The decision to feature animals on banknotes has not been without controversy.

Several politicians, including Nigel Farage and Ed Davey, have expressed dissatisfaction with the removal of celebrated figures such as Winston Churchill and Jane Austen.

Nevertheless, public consultations conducted by the Bank suggest that the majority of citizens favour the transition to wildlife imagery.

Regularly updating the currency design also serves a practical purpose, as it helps authorities combat counterfeiting more effectively.

Early favourites among the candidates include beloved garden creatures such as the hedgehog and the robin, alongside charismatic predators like the barn owl.

Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, has advocated that the selection criteria should prioritise species successfully reintroduced to England.

Were the committee to adopt this approach, candidates might include the white-tailed eagle and the large blue butterfly.

Scotland already features wildlife on its banknotes, with mackerel, otters, red squirrels, and osprey adorning notes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Not all nominations have centred on conventionally appealing species.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has urged that overlooked and unfashionable animals deserve representation on the new banknotes.

Among its suggestions are the feral pigeon, the urban fox, the herring gull, and the brown rat.

Should such unconventional creatures ultimately feature on British currency, it would represent a bold departure from traditional design sensibilities.

Wildlife broadcaster Chris Packham has nominated the red fox for the five pound note, describing foxes as bold, resilient, and quintessentially British.

The final selection process is expected to generate considerable public interest, with millions of citizens likely to participate in the vote.

Whichever animals are ultimately chosen, the new banknotes will serve as a celebration of Britain's rich natural heritage and may even raise awareness of endangered species across the nation.