Pool frog
24 May 2010
The northern pool frog is England’s rarest amphibian. Once found in the Fens and Brecks of East Anglia, it went extinct in the 1990s following a long period of decline. There is currently one reintroduced population near Thetford, which originates from frogs caught in Sweden under licence, and released in 2005-8. Swedish frogs were used because research showed they were a close match to the recently-extinct English pool frogs. The northern pool frog is found in England, Sweden and Norway. There have been some unauthorised releases of pool frogs from central and southern Europe, but these different from the northern pool frog and are of no conservation importance.
Male pool frog (c) Jim Foster
Latin name: Rana (Pelophylax) lessonae
Population numbers: One population, in Norfolk.
Where to see and when:
Pool frogs are most active in late May to July. However, as the species is currently so rare in England, their location is kept confidential to prevent any interference. This situation may change once the population becomes well established.
What’s being done:
The reintroduced population is being monitored to see how well it becomes established. Surveys of the other resident amphibian species are also being done. The health of the pool frogs and other amphibians is monitored too. So far, the pool frogs seem to be doing well, though it will be a few more years before we can be confident of success. If this initial release is successful, further releases may follow, depending on the outcome of assessments and consultations. The pool frog project involves a large partnership, including Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Anglian Water, Forestry Commission, University of Sussex and Institute of Zoology.
More information:
