Local conservation: agile frog headstarting in 2009
Agile frogs (Rana dalmatina) are one of only three amphibian species native to Jersey, and Jersey is the only place in the British Isles where this frog species occurs. Unfortunately, its population on Jersey has been declining, and its range on the island decreasing, since the early 1900’s, largely due to pollution of breeding ponds and habitat loss. By the mid-1980’s there were only two populations remaining on the island (both in the south-western corner of the island), and one of these was lost in 1987 due to an agri-chemical spill. As part of efforts to conserve the species, individuals from the single remaining population have been translocated to this site in recent years, and breeding is again occurring at this site.
Day 7 - 26th July
by Lance Woolaver, Durrell Madagascar Programme
Now that we have animals in captive conditions for breeding, we must work with partners to develop a coherent strategic plan that will culminate in the reintroduction of frogs back to Montserrat. We are putting this together at the moment and will coordinate a meeting of all the partners as soon as possible.
In mid December 2008, 15 pairs of the Lesser night gecko, Nactus coindemierensis, on loan from the Mauritian Government, arrived at the Durrell Herpetological Dept. These tiny geckos, which grow to only 6cm in length and lay eggs weighing just 0.2g, are part of an ex-situ captive breeding and reintroduction project. This species is now only found on four small islets, where they would once have existed in dense populations throughout the Mascarene islands. Habitat destruction and invasive species are the main factors threatening the survival of this species.
The shipment of 50 frogs to ZSL, Durrell and Parken Zoo was a major event, which required military style planning to get the frogs off Montserrat in a plane provided by the Montserrat government to Antigua and onto a BA flight to either London or Sweden. At which point they were picked up and transported to the relevant institution. You can imagine that speed is of the essence and there is little room for delays. Anyway both shipments went very smoothly; all the animals arrived safe and sound and were introduced into their new respective homes. We wanted to give you an update on how they settled in and how they have been faring since then.
We are now a couple of months clear of the initial rescue efforts for the mountain chicken and we have been able to take a breather, step back from the emergency and start putting together a real plan of action on how to respond to the situation. This does not mean that we have time on our hands, far from it; we are under immense pressure to act quickly on a number of fronts.
After the frenzied activity of yesterday, today was relatively quiet - we had a rare chance to catch up on emails and administration. Mid morning we received the good news (along with emailed photos) that ZSL have received all 12 frogs safely and they are having a refreshing shower before receiving their first antifungal treatment in London.Everybody in Montserrat was very pleased to hear the news and to know that their hard work and commitment has paid off.
Today is the big day! The frogs are due to leave Montserrat on a special charter plane at 4.30pm accompanied by Montserrat vet Nicholas and Forestry worker Scriber. They will take them as far as Antigua and see them safely onto the flight from there to London. Nicholas hates flying and Scriber prefers the calm of Montserrat to the intensity of the touristic Antigua, but both are willing to put these feelings aside for the welfare of their frogs.