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Kaiser's Spotted Newt (CR)
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B Lewis View Drop Down
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    Posted: 07 Nov 2011 at 9:50am

Here's one from a recent photo session of one of our captive breeding collection. 

Some info from the IUCN Red List:- 

Kaiser's Spotted Newt is listed as Critically Endangered, because there appears to have been drastic population decline, estimated to be more than 80% over within ten years because of over collection for the pet trade; its Area of Occupancy is less than 10km2, its populations are severely fragmented, and there is a continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat, as well as a decline in the number of mature individuals due to overharvesting for the illegal pet trade.

Cheers,

Brett
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Brett Lewis
Consultant Ecologist | Wildlife Photographer | DICE, University of Kent | Kent Reptile & Amphibian Group
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AGILIS View Drop Down
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Points: 1689 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AGILIS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Nov 2011 at 10:41am
I aint spotted a newt for ages keith
   LOCAL ICYNICAL CELTIC ECO WARRIOR AND FAILED DRUID
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B Lewis View Drop Down
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Points: 48 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote B Lewis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Nov 2011 at 10:58am
Oh Dear, Oh Dear! Thumbs Up
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Brett Lewis
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Paul Hudson View Drop Down
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Points: 98 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Paul Hudson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Nov 2011 at 1:42pm
Hi Brett, What other species do you breed? , do you breed amphibians for re-intro? I breed the Merseyside race of sand lizard for re-intro.
Paul Hudson
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Points: 48 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote B Lewis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Nov 2011 at 2:27pm
Hi Paul, these are being bred by Prof. Richard Griffiths at DICE, we also have Axolotls, Golden Mantella, Mallorcan midwife toads and some Madagascan reed frogs. 
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Brett Lewis
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Points: 98 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Paul Hudson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Nov 2011 at 10:19pm
Hi Brett, Thanks !
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will View Drop Down
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Points: 1830 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote will Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Nov 2011 at 7:04am
Great photo Brett - made me think...  here's a question to ponder in the long winter days.  This species of newt/salamander is reckoned to be the first species of animal which could be driven to extinction by the internet.  It is restricted to a tiny area of Iran where it is being collected for the (internet-driven) pet trade (specimens from 300 dollars apparently...)   Should the trade be encouraged, but regulated - with strict rules concerning provenance (ie captive bred only, of course), so that the animals become common in captivity like axolotls etc, potentially relieving the pressure on wild animals or should there be a complete ban?   In the case of the equally strikingly marked Peruvian black beauty stick insect, they are now common in captivity whilst being restricted to a tiny area of rainforest as their natural habitat.  I guess it depends partly on how easy the newts are to maintain and breed in captivity, and also whether their habitat could be protected in Iran, but aside from this, what's the view of raukers?  In an ideal world, they'd just be left alone, but for an animal as rare and striking as this, that's not feasible I guess..
 
Cheers
 
Will
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Caleb View Drop Down
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Originally posted by will will wrote:

Should the trade be encouraged, but regulated - with strict rules concerning provenance (ie captive bred only, of course), so that the animals become common in captivity like axolotls etc


They already are common in captivity- it's thought that there are now more in captivity than in the wild. Captive bred juveniles are currently selling for about £40 each.

They are apparently relatively easy to keep & breed, especially now that healthy captive-bred animals are available, rather than delicate wild-caught imports.

I suspect the market for wild-caught kaiseri is essentially dead, now that they're so widely available captive bred.
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will View Drop Down
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Points: 1830 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote will Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Nov 2011 at 11:04am
Thanks Caleb; rather like the Peruvian stick insects, I guess
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Points: 48 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote B Lewis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Nov 2011 at 12:26pm
I think Caleb is essentially right although the trade still continues since collectors are always after that 'pure-bred' wild, stock..! 

I think we should continue to be worried further  about the risks associated with spread of disease among the captive populations by unregulated trade in amphibians. Perhaps it might be prudent to look at how the sale of such animals could, potentially, benefit the species in the wild? Could captive breeding programmes help fund charities that look directly at improving the habitat and species population viability in the wild..? 

I was interested to read this article this morning: 

Frog-Killer disease was born in the trade - http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn21133

Whilst captive breeding programmes are doing well for the species in general, are we creating a cooking pot of disease..? Would it be possible to look at reintroductions of some of the species on the brink and will they be at greater risk of disease with the possibility of decreased disease resistance after being bred in captivity..? 

So many variable about the topic, but like you say - some real food for thought! 

Kind regards,

Brett
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Brett Lewis
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