Ó An Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitúil agus Oidhreachta
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• Release marks new opportunities for natterjack conservation at Inch, recently acquired by the state as one of the sites within Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, Ireland’s eighth National Park.
• A partnership between the NPWS and Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium over the past seven years has now released 8,500 toadlets back into their natural home at Inch
• Captive rearing programme at Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium shows a reduction in the mortality rate of this endangered species – from over 90% to less than 25%.
Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD has today (Tuesday 23rd July) released 500 Natterjack toadlets into the sand dunes at Inch peninsula in Dingle, Co. Kerry. The release is part of an NPWS nature conservation project, which aims to halt the decline of this endangered species unique to the coastal areas of Castlemaine Harbour and Castlegregory in Co. Kerry.
Speaking at the release Minister Noonan said:
"I’m delighted to be here today to release the final batch of this year’s toadlets, back into their natural habitat within these beautiful sand dunes at Inch. This has really become an annual event for nature lovers in the Kingdom, and is such a great example of science and the local community working together to halt the decline of this iconic species, unique to Castlemaine and Castlegregory.
This is also the first time for our precious toadlets to be released into Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, Ireland’s newest National Park. All of us hope that the Páirc, with its spectacular sand dunes here at Inch is a place where they can continue to breed and thrive.”
Natterjacks are particularly vulnerable to predators and also depend on shallow ponds for their survival at an early stage of their development. The mortality of natterjack spawn and tadpoles in the wild can be greater than 90%. NPWS has been working with Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium over the past seven years to explore if captive rearing can be used to boost the natterjack population at Inch. Every year NPWS staff collect toad spawn and/or tadpoles from Inch in April and May and bring them to Oceanworld where they are reared in special holding tanks until they reach metamorphosis. In July and August they are released back into the wild by NPWS staff.
The captive rearing programme at Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium has reduced the mortality rate of this endangered species to less than 25%. 2,500 toadlets have been released back into Inch this year, including those released today.
The release at Inch follows the establishment of Ireland’s eighth National Park, and first Marine Park – Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí. The sand dune system at Inch is one of the largest and finest in Europe, and has long been recognised as one of the most important breeding sites in the country for Natterjack Toads. It is designated under Castlemaine Harbour Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area, and is surrounded by the Castlemaine Harbour Nature Reserve.
Niall O’Donnchú, Director General of NPWS said:
“This event is a reminder of how National Parks can protect some of our most vulnerable species in Ireland. The main objective of Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí is the protection and celebration of nature and biodiversity. The dedication and commitment of the team at Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium as a partner on this conservation project really shows how invested the community here is in protecting nature.”
Dr Ferdia Marnell at NPWS said:
“The captive rearing programme has provided a valuable boost to the population over the past seven years. However, longer term survival and breeding rates of the toads are still dependent on many other factors. The location of this unique habitat and flagship sand dune system at Inch within Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí presents new opportunities for research into how we can further enhance conditions to protect them.”
Máire Ó Shea, Manager with Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium said:
“Our team is excited to contribute to the preservation of the Natterjack toad, recognising the crucial role this amphibian plays in maintaining ecological balance. Together with NPWS, we can make a significant impact on the future of the Natterjack toad and other threatened wildlife.”
1. In addition to Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium, NPWS works in partnership with Fota Wildlife on conservation projects focused on a number of breeding sites around the country.
2. NPWS recently acquired the sand dunes at Inch, amounting to approximately 1235 acres of dune and saltmarsh habitat. The site is of significant, high nature value and is one of the sites in Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, Irelands eighth National Park and first Marine Park. The site is entirely designated under Castlemaine Harbour Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area, while it is surrounded by the Castlemaine Harbour Nature Reserve.