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GCN brought to vet

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herpvet View Drop Down
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    Posted: 02 Oct 2017 at 2:03pm
Apologies this is a bit second hand - I am an exotic animals vet and have been contacted by the RSPCA.
Situation is that a member of the public dropped 2 GCN off at a vets (not me) as he was doing building work. Obvious legal breach but he didn't leave any details.
So we do not know where the newts came from, only Reading area. Apparently Natural England not much help - said release ASAP but RSPCA officer understandably and correctly (in my view) reluctant to do so in view of risk of transmitting disease, given origin not known. RSPCA officer waiting for reply from New Forest Reptile Centre as a possible destination, but failing that...
I've been asked to health check them. Since clinical exam will likely not be definitive, I plan on running chytrid (dendrobatidis and salamandrivorans) and ranavirus PCR tests on them. If they are clear, then release would seem reasonable (any comments?). Given that, does anyone know any GCN populations/sites in the Reading area where they could be released?
Thanks for any comments/advice.
Bruce Maclean, HerpVet (veterinary) Services, Oxford.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Iowarth Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Oct 2017 at 5:57pm
Hi Bruce

Well done. I agree that the RSPCA were correct in this case. It is very good of you to undertake these tests which are certainly the essential ones.

So far as release is concerned, if no-one in the forum can come up with an answer I would suggest that you try contacting Dorothy Driver (dorothy.driver@arc-trust.org) who is the GCN Species Officer with Amphibian & Reptile Conservation. She should be able to confirm the advisability of release and may also know of suitable local sites to you.
If she does not then, subject to release being agreed, if you contact the Berkshire Amphibian & Reptile Group for whom Andy Glencross (Andy.Glencross@wokingham.gov.uk ) is the contact they are almost certain to be able to help.

All the best
Chris
Chris Davis, Site Administrator

Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme (RETIRED)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote herpvet Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 2017 at 6:38am
Hi Chris,

Thanks for that, will get in touch with them.

Best wishes,

Bruce
Bruce Maclean, HerpVet (veterinary) Services, Oxford.
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