Milestone in species protection: Successful natterjack toad breeding in Lower Saxony!

Milestone in species protection: Successful natterjack toad breeding in Lower Saxony!

There is good news in the world of amphibians that is warmly welcomed. The Nature Conservation Association of Lower Saxony (NABU) has successfully bred natterjack toads in an outdoor terrarium in Hessisch Oldendorf, a small town in the Hameln-Pyrmont district. This represents a significant step in species protection, as natterjack toads are among the most endangered amphibian species in Central Europe. Project leader Mirjam Nadjafzadeh describes the discovery of the tadpoles as a “milestone” in the effort to preserve these fascinating animals and secure their habitats. A particularly innovative aspect of the project is the EU-funded “Life Bovar” project, which breeds not only natterjack toads, but also yellow-bellied toads and midwife toads and aims to sustainably preserve their habitats. According to tagesschau.de, the outdoor terrarium was specially converted to make reproduction easier. Flat bank areas with clay offer optimal conditions for natterjack toads.

What have we learned from the NABU project? It shows how important targeted measures are to protect these endangered species. The focus on sustainable habitats is essential and the future plan to release natterjack toad offspring into the wild is another positive step. However, efforts to protect amphibians do not only take place in Lower Saxony. The Species Protection Foundation takes care of worldwide protection projects for endangered amphibian species. Their programs include active protection measures, applied research and training of specialist personnel. Funds also flow into these initiatives for conservation breeding with reintroduction plans and the maintenance of native biotopes, as can be seen from stiftung-artenschutz.de.

Wet biotopes create new habitats

Another exciting project to promote amphibian diversity is underway in the municipality of Dieterskirchen in the Schwandorf district. Here, four former fishing ponds are being converted into a wetland biotope to create important spawning waters for species such as yellow-bellied toads, great crested newts and tree frogs. The initiators have committed themselves to the goal of increasing the biodiversity of insects that serve as a food source for amphibians. The idea that these projects contribute to preserving the biodiversity puzzle in the region is very popular. More and more people are recognizing the importance of amphibians for the ecosystem and their role in the balance of nature. The project in Dieterskirchen supports the Sielmanns Biotope Association of Northeast Bavaria, as sielmann-stiftung.de reports.

It is therefore of immense importance for species protection that such projects become the focus not only locally, but also globally. Collaboration between conservation organizations, zoo associations and committed private individuals continues to raise awareness of the threats that amphibians face today. With a good hand for nature and creative solutions, the trend reversal in species protection for amphibians may be successful. Because as the saying goes: whoever fights can lose; Anyone who doesn't fight has already lost.