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500 Natterjack Toadlets have been released into Ireland’s eighth national park, Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí in the sand dunes at Inch Peninsula, on Tuesday by Minister for Nature, Heritage, and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan left, and Niall O’Donnchú, Director General of NPWS. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
MINISTER for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD has today released 500 Natterjack toadlets into the sand dunes at Inch.
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 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.”
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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.
Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
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.
The Natterjack Toadlets. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan/FREE PIC*** ISSUED 23/07/2024
It is designated under Castlemaine Harbour Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area, and is surrounded by the Castlemaine Harbour Nature Reserve.
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.”
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