New fears are emerging among conservationists as a huge number of large frogs have reportedly died in a region of Britain.
As reported, more than 1,000 toads may have died after a reservoir important to the local ecosystem was drained by a water company in North Wales.
Volunteers at Wrexham Toad Patrols help toads return to Nant-y-Ffrith Reservoir on the Llandegla moors during the breeding season. This year they helped 1,500 of the amphibians cross busy roads to help protect the declining species.
The group said they were “shocked, angry and heartbroken” to discover the reservoir had been drained by Hafren Dyfrdwy over the Easter weekend, a few weeks before the toads were expected to leave the site.
“Why now – in the middle of spring, when wildlife depends on these waters for breeding, feeding and nesting?” Teri Davies said in a social media post.
“We understand the need for the work, but not the timing. Waiting a few more weeks could have made all the difference.”
Nant-y-Ffrith, near Wrexham, is home to birdlife including the great crested grebe and coot. Sedge warblers, reed buntings, lapwings and curlews live near adjacent streams, fields and a wooded valley.
Conservationist Davies said toads return to the same breeding grounds year after year and do not move.
“With the reservoir gone, they may not survive. Birds such as curlews and lapwings have lost vital breeding and feeding areas… Frogs, newts, insects and even reported otters will all feel the impact, with consequences rippling through the entire ecosystem,” Davies added.
Hafren Dyfrdwy, which operates in North East and Mid Wales, said it had drained the reservoir to make “essential safety improvements”.
A spokesperson called the situation worrying for the local community and said it wanted to “identify ways to put things right for the future”.
In addition, the company was currently on site with our ecologists to review what happened.
The situation seems particularly alarming as toad populations in Britain have already declined by 41% in the past 40 years, according to the charity Froglife.
