Defra, uk news release "Kermitted to frog protection"

[oceanblue]

A rare outbreak of humour in the headline of a press release announcing a plan to re-introduce the pool frog to the UK.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2008/080818a.htm

 

[benw]

Thats good news for the large colony near me.
I did wonder whether they would get protection.

Thanks for posting that.


Ben

 

[John]

Now if only they would introduce fire salamanders to Ireland...

 

[lims]

would that work? would it be feasable to introduce them to somewhere in UK or Irland? Where would be the best places? I like ideas like this as long as it doesn't turn into a bullfrog thing, need to be careful obviously.

 

[John]

Since it's highly illegal I'm not sure we should even jokingly talk about it .

 

[lims]

Yes it's highly illegal, but for it to even be considered ever in the future, it would have to be discussed first in a totally hypothetical debate.

 

[John]

I understand your point of view but you are assuming that the authorities in question wouldn't read more into it and that they are unbiased and independent in their assessment of what they read.

 

[caleb]

I've just come across the statutory instrument that implements this protection:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20082172_en_1

It adds Rana lessonae to the list of European Protected Species native to the UK that are covered by the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1994/uksi_19942716_en_1

This means that it's now illegal to capture, kill, disturb, or damage the breeding site of pool frogs. Possession and trade (of wild-caught animals) was already controlled by the 2007 amendments:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/uksi_20071843_en_1

Unfortunately, the vast majority of animals covered by this law are likely to be from earlier introductions of animals unrelated to the native Northern Clade...

 

[lims]

I should just read the link more, but does this mean they get the same protection as great crested newts? i.e. - no disturbing them allowed at all?

 

[caleb]

does this mean they get the same protection as great crested newts? i.e. - no disturbing them allowed at all?

Yes, that's basically right.