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continental types in the pool... |
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will
Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1830 |
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Posted: 06 Jun 2012 at 6:13pm |
I got called to a disused swimming pool in a leafy part of London today, to fish out the newts. No GCN, but I did get a surprise when these alpine newts were revealed in the net, including some neotenous adults:
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MancD
Member Joined: 05 Jun 2011 Status: Offline Points: 38 |
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Nice photos Will. Out of interest what did you do with them (given that they're a Schedule 9 species)?
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will
Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1830 |
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good question! taken into captivity, rather than euthanased, which would have been the only alternative for the reason you point out.
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herpetologic2
Forum Coordinator Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1511 |
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How many did you fish out will? did you report them? you can simply fill in a sighting card on the record pool www.arguk.org/recording
Regards J
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will
Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1830 |
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Hi Jon
there were around 30 alpines and almost 80 smooth newts. Evidently a nearby pond must be the source of the alpines, but can't tell where this is, due to the high security fencing and thick hedges which all the local gardens are screened by!
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B Lewis
Member Joined: 25 May 2011 Location: Kent Status: Offline Points: 48 |
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Should be swabbed for Chytrid if possible..? Might be worth dropping the guys at ZSL a line? Also, keep them away from anything else and keep strict biosecurity measures for them if in captivity.
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________________________________
Brett Lewis Consultant Ecologist | Wildlife Photographer | DICE, University of Kent | Kent Reptile & Amphibian Group |
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herpetologic2
Forum Coordinator Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1511 |
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What about the smooth newts? should they stay or should they also be kept in captivity?
If they are then it would definitely be good to give ZSL a line as they are looking for both alpine and smooth newts. No need to swab them if they are going to go to ZSL |
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will
Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1830 |
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Hi guys
the smooth newts were released in damp grass in the garden in question, either for them to remain terrestrial (most males had no crests, females thin) or to find another waterbody. I won't have time to get alpine newts to ZSL; if they want a sample for chytrid they can have one though.
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herpetologic2
Forum Coordinator Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1511 |
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I have just spoken to ZSL and they would be able to take them, perhaps they could come and collect from you Will? Though I am sure you would want to keep hold of those neotenous newts which look great btw
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will
Senior Member Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1830 |
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sure; they can contact me through the trust email at lehartrust@hotmail.com
-yes, the neotenous ones look good in one of the tanks in the school labs, so I'll hold onto them. Also interested to see if they will lose their gills now they're not in the deep cold water of a swimming pool, too.
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