NORTH-WEST EVENING MAIL (Barrow in Furness, UK) 25 March 08 Bid To Combat Killer Toad Fungus
Renowned amphibian experts are hoping to engage the public in the fight against the killer toad fungus.
The chytrid disease is thought to have accounted for one third of all the losses in amphibian species to date. The blow to the amphibian population is being felt across the world, but particularly in Cumbria, the last major stronghold of the natterjack toad species. The discovery of chytrid in Cumbria has galvanised action, bringing in much-needed funds and a scientific focus.
Amphibian specialists will converge in Barrow next month to see what can be done now, before more natterjacks are lost to the dreaded disease.
Part of the challenge is conducting research over a large scale, which is where members of the public can step in.
There are 23 natterjack populations in Cumbria, including Roanhead and north Walney, and a cross-section sample requires testing 60 animals per population.
Just over half the populations have been tested so far. It is hoped volunteers will take swabs from the toads which can be sent for analysis.
The toad weekend, called Bringing Back the Natterjack, will take place on April 12 and 13.
Organiser Dave Coward, Cumbria’s natterjack project officer for the Herpetological Conservation Trust, said: “There is quite a scene out there and this is part of the aim of the conference.
“We want to try and get people together.
“This is also about bringing local people who come on the sites together.
“There’s also an opportunity for people who’ve done nothing before to come along for the weekend.”
National specialists include Ed Bede, from the Institute of Zoology in London, who will be speaking about the impact of chytrid across the globe.
He will spend a fortnight in Furness taking samples from a wider area than the pools that have tested positive to try and establish what is happening elsewhere in the area.
Other key speakers are John Buckley from the Herpetological Conservation Trust, Anna McGrath, from the Imperial College of London, Ecological consultant Ash Bennett, Shoshanna May, from the University of Sussex, Chris Gleed-Owen from the HCT and Jonty Denton will round off with the question “What do you know about natterjacks?”.
The conference will take place in Waterside House, Bridge Approach, Barrow, from 9.30am until 4.20pm on Saturday April 12.
Sunday will take in visits to Dunnerholme, Heathwaite Fell and Millom Ironworks for chytrid sampling between 10am and 4pm.
Mr Coward said: “Anybody who wants to get involved in this will be shown how to do the sampling.
“It’s a simple technique that involves taking a painless swab by tickling the toad’s tummy.
“We’ve picked three sites that are fairly typical.
“We’ve got golf courses, fell sides and an industrial site, which shows how adaptable the animal is.”
The conference has been supported by Wealth of Wildlife and Barrow Borough Council.
There will be no charge, lunch is included on both days, so donations will be very welcome.
Anybody interested in attending should book via email.
Bid To Combat Killer Toad Fungus