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continental types in the pool...

Printed From: Reptiles and Amphibians of the UK
Category: Alien & Naturalised species of the UK
Forum Name: Aliens
Forum Description: Concerning non-native species that should be removed from the wild
URL: http://www.herpetofauna.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4255
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 7:38pm
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Topic: continental types in the pool...
Posted By: will
Subject: continental types in the pool...
Date 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:









Replies:
Posted By: MancD
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2012 at 10:14pm
Nice photos Will. Out of interest what did you do with them (given that they're a Schedule 9 species)?


Posted By: will
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2012 at 8:49am
good question! taken into captivity, rather than euthanased, which would have been the only alternative for the reason you point out.


Posted By: herpetologic2
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2012 at 7:01am
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


Posted By: will
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2012 at 9:03am
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!


Posted By: B Lewis
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2012 at 9:34am
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


Posted By: herpetologic2
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2012 at 10:08am
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 






Posted By: will
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2012 at 11:09am
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. 


Posted By: herpetologic2
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2012 at 11:23am
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




Posted By: will
Date Posted: 13 Jun 2012 at 11:33am
sure; they can contact me through the trust email at mailto:lehartrust@hotmail.com - 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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