There is an urgent need to foster awareness of a species group which has gone undervalued, and to help increase their numbers via planned reintroductions.

This grant will fund four new enclosures for breeding groups of British reptiles and amphibians, including adders (Vipera berus), common lizards (Zootoca vivipara), pool frogs (Pelophylax lessonae), and natterjack toads (Epidalea calamita).

Each of these species are declining or very rare in Britain, yet in many cases these species play a key role in local ecologies, including providing abundant prey bases.

As terrestrial species that are often movement limited, these animals are likely to become increasingly reliant on conservation translocation to establish populations to former haunts where habitat is being restored and reconnected, or to wilding areas where niches that have likely not existed for centuries or millennia are being recreated.

Keep it Wild CIC will draw on their expertise and learnings from successful beaver and water vole reintroductions to breed reptile and amphibian offspring for wild release in suitable, well-run rewilding projects across the country that may not recolonise naturally without the help of this project.

Images courtesy of The Wildlife Trusts.