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16 April 2008
Leave those frogs alone
In this The Year of the Frog, amphibians need extra help to survive
2008 is the year of the frog, but this has been marked by unwelcome news: Amphibians are at increasing risk of becoming infected with a fungal disease, newly arrived in the UK.
Chytridiomycosis is widespread in other parts of the world, leading to mass deaths of amphibians, and although it has only been found in two sites in the UK to date, precautions must be taken to ensure that its spread is not encouraged.
Preventing the spread of the disease amongst amphibians and reptiles in the UK should be easier, thanks to a new guide produced by ARG-UK (Amphibian and Reptile Group).
The guide stresses the need to avoid spreading the fungal disease by not moving amphibians or pond water, sterilising footware and equipment and reporting dead amphibians. The non-transfer message should also help stop the spread of invasive aquatic plants, such as azolla and parrot’s feather.
People can still encourage frogs, toads and newts into gardens by making ponds, leaving log piles and some longer vegetation for them to hunt and hide in, and not using harmful chemicals when gardening.
For more information on pond creation and amphibians, as well as the ARG-UK guide on avoiding the spread of Chytridomycosis, go to the Water for Wildlife website, www.waterforwildlife.org.uk