...... into the Wild in England & Wales
This week conservationists will be giving the UK's rarest lizard further helping hand in, which has been termed as 'one of the most successful reptile reintroduction projects in the world', It is all thanks to Amphibian & Reptile Conservation, and an army of volunteers who have surveyed, monitored and managed sites then reared and released these animals over many years. The release of c.500 captive bred lizards into 7 sites in England & Wales this autumn has given a much needed boost to the animals fortunes in the UK.
There are ten captive breeding centres for sand lizards including Chester Zoo and Marwell Wildlife, New Forest Reptile Centre, Avon Heath Country Parkand thanks to funds from our 100% fund a merseyside captive breeding centre was established this year.
Jonathan Webster, ARC Chair of Trustees said "We are delighted with the success of the sand lizard re-introduction programme. So far the partnerships have instigated 74 re-introductions to both dune and heathland sites in 12 vice-counties and restored the species to 7 of these. 80% of these have been successful or going well and more are planned for the future."
We have high hopes for this year's re-introductions as these large sites are well managed by our partners; Countryside Council for Wales, MoD, National Trust, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Bournemouth Borough Council, Waverley Borough Council. Ongoing surveys by trained site staff, Amphibian & Reptile Group volunteers [among others] will let us know how the species is doing in the long term, and when they start to colonise new areas.
Local ARG groups are involved with monitoring sand lizard populations
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Surrey Amphibian & Reptile Group
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Kent Reptile & Amphibian Group
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Hampshire Amphibian & Reptile Group
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Cornwall Amphibian & Reptile Group
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Devon Reptile & Amphibian Group
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Merseyside Amphibian & Reptile Group
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South West Wales Amphibian & Reptile Group
Please look up your local group contact to find out more
If people want to find out more about our native amphibians and reptiles or can help with surveying and monitoring please contact us at the address' provided below.
Photo credits - male sand lizards (Amphibian & Reptile Conservation)
For further information contact:
Nick Moulton / Chris Davis, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation, 01202 391319, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Jim Foster, Natural England, 0300 060 1163, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Liz Howe, Countryside Council for Wales, 01248 387257, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Source: http://arc-trust.blogspot.com/2011/09/rare-sand-lizards-released-back-to-wild.html
Further news stories -
Wildlife Extra - Rare sand lizards released back to the wild on Merseyside
Wales Online - Rare sand lizards to be released in dunes near Aberystwyth
BBC Mid Wales - Sand lizards bred at Chester Zoo return to Ynyslas
Wrexham Leader - Recovery scheme to release rare lizards back to the wild
First News - Britain's rarest lizards released back into the wild
Amphibian & Reptile Conservation is the leading NGO for amphibian and reptile conservation in the UK.