Species
Sand lizard captive breeding and re-introductions By Nick Moulton - Reptile Conservation Officer ARC has just reached two milestones this year: 50 years of sand lizard re-introductions and the release of over 10,000 animals! Our early re-introductions with the British Herpetological Society Conservation Committee (BHSCC) were partly via captive breeding, but also through the rescue and direct translocation of animals from sites that were being developed. The lizards were taken to appropriate sites where the species had previously become extinct. With more effective site protection and reduced site loss during the mid-1990’s, the Herpetological Conservation Trust/ARC adapted the programme to continue reintroductions solely via captive breeding. Jonathan Webster, ARC Chair of Trustees said "We are delighted with the success of the sand lizard re-introduction programme. So far the partnerships, including agencies, NGOs and land-managers, have instigated 78 re-introductions to both dune and heathland sites in 12 vice-counties and restored the species to 7 of these. 80% of these have been successful or initially doing well and more are planned for the future." A region with particularly high loss, estimated at 95% of the native populations, was the Wealden heaths. Our former Wealden Reserves Manager, Mike Preston, has been involved in the programme since the 1970s and continues the captive breeding and re-introductions to this region.
Species
“When we started there were only 4 native sites left in the Wealden Heaths. We have now restored over 5,800 animals to 28 heathland sites. Our captive breeding vivariums are outdoors and as natural as possible. When the eggs are laid they are removed and then incubated. When the animals hatch they are retained and fed for a few weeks and then released to the wild. The releases are generally undertaken in early September. For a reintroduction around 50-80 captive-bred juveniles are released each year for three consecutive years. On-going monitoring is essential to see how the animals are doing, and management, such as sand management, is often required to enhance their status” said Mike.
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Photo top right and bottom: Juvenile sand lizard © ARC.
