Marwell Wildlife Another 400 Sand Lizards Released

Zambar

Zambar

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
400 sand lizards have been released into locations in Dorset, Surrey and Wales in Marwell's latest success of their ongoing Sand Lizard conservation programme. :)

Rare UK Lizard Success
 
Seconded :D
 
if I may be picky, the article actually says
This autumn several sand lizards (Lacerta agilis), which were hatched and reared in our park, were released back into their natural habitat in Dorset. This activity forms part of an ambitious project, involving the release of 400 baby sand lizards across various locations in the UK, to help ensure the survival of this threatened reptile species.
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not quite the staggering feat as suggested by the thread title
 
Very good news for the species, are Marwell the only zoo breeding them in the UK?
 
i'm surprised they release them in the autumn as they have only a short time to acclimatise to the wild before hibernation.
 
Marwell getting ahead of themselves I see. It's possible that what they mean't is that they have released 400 lizards since the programme started.
 
no, what they meant (I believe, as it makes most sense) was that the programme is aiming for a total of 400 sand lizards to be bred and released.

This is what the article now says, interestingly with the refernce to 400 removed entirely. Perhaps they re-thought it and decided it was too confusing. It is good to see they put the release figure of 65 in there, because "several" really was very vague (and I would suggest that 65 is rather more than several anyway!)
This autumn 65 sand lizards (Lacerta agilis), which were hatched and reared in our park, were released back into their natural habitat in Dorset. This activity forms part of an ambitious project, involving the release of baby sand lizards across various locations in the UK, to help ensure the survival of this threatened reptile species.Sand lizard

The sand lizard is the UK’s largest and rarest lizard. It was once a common sight in dunes and heathland, but habitat destruction over the last 100 years has led to it being lost entirely in several counties including Hampshire.

It is estimated that there are fewer than 300 locations in the country where sand lizards continue to thrive. These remaining colonies are mostly found on small, fragmented areas of heath or dune in isolated locations or surrounded by woodland.

The reintroductions took place at five sites in Surrey, Dorset, and mid Wales, in partnership with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. The lizard releases went smoothly and we will continue to breed sand lizards for future reintroductions.Sand lizard

Sand lizards are usually considerably bigger, more stocky and have larger heads than common lizards. They feed mainly on invertebrates including spiders and insects but will also eat a variety of other foods such as fruit and flower heads.

Although active during the day, sand lizards are very shy and difficult to spot as they spend much of their time underground and hibernate during the winter months.
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I have never seen a Sand lizard in the UK. I think this is good news hopefully the release sites are wild enough and safe enough for them to thrive. This is like the breeding of dormice in Paignton and Corncrakes at Whipsnade, nice to know our native wildlife isn't being forgotten. I hope all these projects are successful
 
if more UK zoos got behind these sort of programmes they could really make a difference on a local or national level. I mean, sand lizards or dormice or natterjacks or ladybird spiders or whatever, don't take up much room, they can be bred in small facilities off-display without putting undue pressure on the zoo's finances, and its doing something genuine for conservation rather than just paying lip-service by saying "hey look, we're displaying red pandas and therefore we're doing good things!"
 
Chlidonias said:
if more UK zoos got behind these sort of programmes they could really make a difference on a local or national level. I mean, sand lizards or dormice or natterjacks or ladybird spiders or whatever, don't take up much room, they can be bred in small facilities off-display without putting undue pressure on the zoo's finances, and its doing something genuine for conservation rather than just paying lip-service by saying "hey look, we're displaying red pandas and therefore we're doing good things!"
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I agree completely, but it's one step better if the zoo also has at least some of the specimens on display: not possible with every species of course, but much more could be done. Chester's sand lizard display is attractive and quite popular in the summer; it often takes some effort to see a lizard, but that's part of the experience and adds to its educational value.

Alan
 
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