Natural England

Amateur amphibian experts across the East of England are being trained to track a potentially deadly disease that could have a devastating effect on frogs, toads and newts.

They will start by taking swabs from around 60 toads living in the pond at Bobbits Lane Local Nature Reserve in Ipswich. The pond is well known in the local area thanks to toad crossing patrols that last year helped 1700 toads cross the road in safety to reach the pond for breeding.

A pioneering project launched at the weekend by Natural England, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the Herpetological Conservation Trust enlisted scores of volunteers from across the country to help assess the potential impact of this disease.

Around 170 keen volunteers were trained in Coventry and more will follow in the coming months. The project galvanises action on this newly discovered fungal disease, which has already been found in a few ponds in Cumbria and Kent. The volunteers will target larger ponds like Bobbits Lane in Ipswich and others in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex to collect samples from a wide range of amphibians to find out if the deadly fungus is creeping east.

Duncan Sweeting, of the Suffolk Amphibian and Reptile Group, who works for Anglia Water near the Bobbits Lane site, will be helping take swabs. He said: “We’ve already had about 50 toads crossing the lane and we’re heading for our really busy time where we will help around 1700 toads to cross safely. We’re really desperate to make sure our toad population is healthy and will do anything we can to help.”

“After hearing about the population crashes in Australia, finding the fungus here was obviously grim news,” said Jim Foster, amphibian specialist at Natural England.

“But people should not panic. Some amphibians can cope with the fungus, and right now it’s not clear what this really means for frogs, toads and newts in England. That’s why we need help from volunteer frog surveyors” concluded Mr Foster. The project is the first of its kind in Europe.

Frog specialists in other parts of the world have been saddened to see their amphibians disappear after infection by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which causes the disease chytridiomycosis. But scientists here need to know whether the disease is more widespread, and whether it is actually having an impact on our amphibians.

The Herpetological Conservation Trust’s John Baker, who will be training volunteers, said “England’s dedicated frog watchers are the front-line in discovering more about the disease. This spring we will be giving special instructions in dealing with the disease, alongside our training on amphibian surveys.”

Volunteers will take harmless samples, which will then be submitted to experts.

“It’s impossible to tell if a frog is infected just by looking at it, but this is where recent research comes in. Thanks to a special laboratory technique that amplifies tiny fragments of DNA, we can detect the fungus from a skin swab,” explained Eddie Brede at the Zoological Society of London. “By the end of the year we’ll have a much clearer idea of status of the fungus in England.”

Shaun Thomas, Regional Director for East of England for Natural England, said: “The natterjack toad is found at only around 50 sites in England, having declined by around 80% in the last century. A disease like this could have serious effects on an already threatened species and it is only with the help of willing volunteers that this potentially fatal disease can be tracked and eradicated.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about the project and the fungus should visit www.zsl.org/ukchytrid and www.naturalengland.org.uk
For more on amphibians in gardens see Natural England’s booklet Amphibians in your garden: your questions answered [1.0mb]

-Ends-

Notes for editors

For interviews and photographs of the natterjack toad, common frogs, toads, tadpoles and volunteers carrying out swab tests please contact the Natural England press office:

Linzee Kottman 01223 533431/07824475359,
Heather McMorland 07919 228388
out of hours 07970 098005
or email: linzee.j.kottman@naturalengland.org.uk or heather.mcmorland@naturalengland.org.uk

For background information on the disease visit www.naturalengland.org.uk

We have a family of frogs in Peterborough for filming if required.

1. The project to track down the frog fungus was launched at the Herpetofauna Worker’s Meeting in Coventry last weekend. The project is a joint initiative between Natural England and ZSL. Other organisations assisting with the project include The Herpetological Conservation Trust and the Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK. The project will involve a nationwide survey, targeted research in areas where the fungus has been found, and developing advice on precautions for amphibian workers. So far the fungus has been found at six sites in Cumbria and two in Kent, though to date the amphibians there are persisting. For more information on the project, see: www.zsl.org/ukchytrid
2. Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity: our key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats. The Society runs ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, carries out scientific research in the Institute of Zoology and is actively involved in field conservation in other countries worldwide. For further information please visit www.zsl.org/
3. The Herpetological Conservation Trust is the UK’s leading non-governmental organisation concerned with the policy and practical conservation of native amphibians and reptiles. It manages reserves for rare species and coordinate monitoring programmes. It works closely with government bodies and the voluntary sector. Website: www.herpconstrust.org.uk
4. The Suffolk Amphibian and Reptile Groups is a network of locally based volunteers concerned with the conservation of native amphibians and reptiles. Website: www.sarg.org.uk/Page_1x.html
5. For more information on Bobbits Lane Local Nature Reserve go to www.english-nature.org.uk/special/lnr/lnr_details.asp?C=0&ID=1134&N=
6. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings. Website: www.naturalengland.org.uk

Issued on behalf of Natural England by GNN East.