Frogs and toads in danger

The uncommon frogs & toads of Britain are in danger

Latest research show sightings of toads in Britain have fallen by over 30% in the last 5 years & frog numbers have plummeted 17%. Toad numbers have decreased by nearly 70% over the last 30 years, as reported in the RSPB survey published last week. These shocking findings emphasise the calamity that continues in the loss of wildlife in Britain's countryside. To highlight the loss of habitat for our struggling wildlife, this month sees the launch of Wildwood’s new amphibian and reptile conservation exhibit, where you can catch a glimpse of some of Britain’s frogs and toads as well as a range of other reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates from around the world.

Wildwood's Head Keeper Paul Wirdnam said: “We are excited that visitors will be able to learn about our endangered amphibians. Our toads have been rescued and nursed back to health and should be ready to be seen by visitors in a couple of weeks. The loss of habitat has forced frogs and toads to live in urban areas and they are in danger of being hurt. The toads we have at Wildwood are recovering from serious injuries caused by strimmer blades; damage which could have been avoided if people take the time to walk the grass before they start cutting it.“

Wildwood’s Peter Smith said: “We can all help frogs and toads by building a pond in our garden but gardens only make up 1% of the UK’s land surface, to understand the problem we need to look at what has happened to farmland and other parts of our countryside.” “Behind every wildlife disaster, including the one happening to our frogs and toads in the UK are government rules set in place that rewards people with tax breaks and subsidies for killing our wildlife. Much of our wildlife is clinging on to small pockets of suitable habitat when contrary to many people's beliefs it is not housing or roads that is killing our wildlife but what is happening to land in our farms, waterways and countryside.” “With Brexit comes a once in a lifetime opportunity to save the taxpayer billions in wasteful subsidies and tax breaks to those who use their land inefficiently and rob our wildlife of a home. Rewilding the UK offers us a chance to benefit our economy, make our food production more secure for our children and protect nature, but we must address the core issue of inefficient land use and the rewards that can be made from destroying wildlife.“

FOLLOW US Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildwoodtrust Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WildwoodTrust Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thewildwoodtrust   ABOUT WILDWOOD Wildwood Trust opened in 1999 as a centre of excellence for the conservation of British wildlife, and was established as a registered charity in 2002. Wildwood is Kent's best British wildlife park. Home to over 200 native animals, past and present and set in 40 acres of beautiful ancient woodland where visitors can see bears, wolves, bison, deer, owls, foxes, red squirrels, wild boar, lynx, wild horses, badgers and beavers plus many more. As one of the leading British animal conservation charities in the UK, Wildwood Trust is dedicated to saving Britain's most threatened wildlife. Wildwood Trust have taken part in many ground-breaking conservation programmes to date, which include, saving the water vole, using wild horses to help restore Kent's most precious nature reserves, bringing the extinct European beaver back to Britain and returning the hazel dormouse & red squirrel to areas where they have been made extinct.

Wildwood Trust Herne Common Herne Bay Kent CT6 7LQ Registered Charity No: 1093702 Wildwood Kent: 01227 712 111 Wildwood Devon: 01404 822 188 info@wildwoodtrust.org

Frogs and toads in danger

The uncommon frogs & toads of Britain are in danger

Latest research show sightings of toads in Britain have fallen by over 30% in the last 5 years & frog numbers have plummeted 17%. Toad numbers have decreased by nearly 70% over the last 30 years, as reported in the RSPB survey published last week. These shocking findings emphasise the calamity that continues in the loss of wildlife in Britain's countryside. To highlight the loss of habitat for our struggling wildlife, this month sees the launch of Wildwood’s new amphibian and reptile conservation exhibit, where you can catch a glimpse of some of Britain’s frogs and toads as well as a range of other reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates from around the world.

Wildwood's Head Keeper Paul Wirdnam said: “We are excited that visitors will be able to learn about our endangered amphibians. Our toads have been rescued and nursed back to health and should be ready to be seen by visitors in a couple of weeks. The loss of habitat has forced frogs and toads to live in urban areas and they are in danger of being hurt. The toads we have at Wildwood are recovering from serious injuries caused by strimmer blades/string; damage which could have been avoided if people take the time to walk the grass before they start cutting it.“

Wildwood’s Peter Smith said: “We can all help frogs and toads by building a pond in our garden but gardens only make up 1% of the UK’s land surface, to understand the problem we need to look at what has happened to farmland and other parts of our countryside.” “Behind every wildlife disaster, including the one happening to our frogs and toads in the UK are government rules set in place that rewards people with tax breaks and subsidies for killing our wildlife. Much of our wildlife is clinging on to small pockets of suitable habitat when contrary to many people's beliefs it is not housing or roads that is killing our wildlife but what is happening to land in our farms, waterways and countryside.” “With Brexit comes a once in a lifetime opportunity to save the taxpayer billions in wasteful subsidies and tax breaks to those who use their land inefficiently and rob our wildlife of a home. Rewilding the UK offers us a chance to benefit our economy, make our food production more secure for our children and protect nature, but we must address the core issue of inefficient land use and the rewards that can be made from destroying wildlife.“

CONTACT Wildwood Trust: +44(0)1227 712 111 Peter Smith: peter@wildwoodtrust.org or 07986 828229 Dan Farrow: dan.farrow@wildwoodtrust.org or 01227 209617 Wildwood Trust, Herne Common, Herne Bay, Nr Canterbury, Kent CT6 7LQ Registered Charity No. 1093702   FOLLOW US Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildwoodtrust Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WildwoodTrust Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thewildwoodtrust   ABOUT WILDWOOD Wildwood Trust opened in 1999 as a centre of excellence for the conservation of British wildlife, and was established as a registered charity in 2002. Wildwood is Kent's best British wildlife park. Home to over 200 native animals, past and present and set in 40 acres of beautiful ancient woodland where visitors can see bears, wolves, bison, deer, owls, foxes, red squirrels, wild boar, lynx, wild horses, badgers and beavers plus many more. As one of the leading British animal conservation charities in the UK, Wildwood Trust is dedicated to saving Britain's most threatened wildlife. Wildwood Trust have taken part in many ground-breaking conservation programmes to date, which include, saving the water vole, using wild horses to help restore Kent's most precious nature reserves, bringing the extinct European beaver back to Britain and returning the hazel dormouse & red squirrel to areas where they have been made extinct.

Wildwood Trust Herne Common Herne Bay Kent CT6 7LQ Registered Charity No: 1093702 Wildwood Kent: 01227 712 111 Wildwood Devon: 01404 822 188 info@wildwoodtrust.org

Frogs and toads in danger

The uncommon frogs & toads of Britain are in danger

Latest research show sightings of toads in Britain have fallen by over 30% in the last 5 years & frog numbers have plummeted 17%. Toad numbers have decreased by nearly 70% over the last 30 years, as reported in the RSPB survey published last week. These shocking findings emphasise the calamity that continues in the loss of wildlife in Britain's countryside. To highlight the loss of habitat for our struggling wildlife, this month sees the launch of Wildwood’s new amphibian and reptile conservation exhibit, where you can catch a glimpse of some of Britain’s frogs and toads as well as a range of other reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates from around the world.

Wildwood's Head Keeper Paul Wirdnam said: “We are excited that visitors will be able to learn about our endangered amphibians. Our toads have been rescued and nursed back to health and should be ready to be seen by visitors in a couple of weeks. The loss of habitat has forced frogs and toads to live in urban areas and they are in danger of being hurt. The toads we have at Wildwood are recovering from serious injuries caused by strimmer blades/string; damage which could have been avoided if people take the time to walk the grass before they start cutting it.“

Wildwood’s Peter Smith said: “We can all help frogs and toads by building a pond in our garden but gardens only make up 1% of the UK’s land surface, to understand the problem we need to look at what has happened to farmland and other parts of our countryside.” “Behind every wildlife disaster, including the one happening to our frogs and toads in the UK are government rules set in place that rewards people with tax breaks and subsidies for killing our wildlife. Much of our wildlife is clinging on to small pockets of suitable habitat when contrary to many people's beliefs it is not housing or roads that is killing our wildlife but what is happening to land in our farms, waterways and countryside.” “With Brexit comes a once in a lifetime opportunity to save the taxpayer billions in wasteful subsidies and tax breaks to those who use their land inefficiently and rob our wildlife of a home. Rewilding the UK offers us a chance to benefit our economy, make our food production more secure for our children and protect nature, but we must address the core issue of inefficient land use and the rewards that can be made from destroying wildlife.“

CONTACT Wildwood Trust: +44(0)1227 712 111 Peter Smith: peter@wildwoodtrust.org or 07986 828229 Dan Farrow: dan.farrow@wildwoodtrust.org or 01227 209617 Wildwood Trust, Herne Common, Herne Bay, Nr Canterbury, Kent CT6 7LQ Registered Charity No. 1093702   FOLLOW US Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildwoodtrust Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WildwoodTrust Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thewildwoodtrust   ABOUT WILDWOOD Wildwood Trust opened in 1999 as a centre of excellence for the conservation of British wildlife, and was established as a registered charity in 2002. Wildwood is Kent's best British wildlife park. Home to over 200 native animals, past and present and set in 40 acres of beautiful ancient woodland where visitors can see bears, wolves, bison, deer, owls, foxes, red squirrels, wild boar, lynx, wild horses, badgers and beavers plus many more. As one of the leading British animal conservation charities in the UK, Wildwood Trust is dedicated to saving Britain's most threatened wildlife. Wildwood Trust have taken part in many ground-breaking conservation programmes to date, which include, saving the water vole, using wild horses to help restore Kent's most precious nature reserves, bringing the extinct European beaver back to Britain and returning the hazel dormouse & red squirrel to areas where they have been made extinct.

Wildwood Trust Herne Common Herne Bay Kent CT6 7LQ Registered Charity No: 1093702 Wildwood Kent: 01227 712 111 Wildwood Devon: 01404 822 188 info@wildwoodtrust.org

June Newsletter

Wildwood Newsletter - June

Four new wolf cubs born at Wildwood   We're so happy to announce that Odin and Nuna are first-time parents to four adorable cubs. The cubs are now six weeks-old and growing up fast. They're active early and late in the day and can be seen in or around their den directly opposite the bear enclosure. We'll be letting them and parents into their large enclosure when they have their health check at approximately 12 weeks old.   Watch our wolf cubs starring on BBC South East

Brand new reptile house   Our new reptile house is now open opposite the rat barn. Residents include reptiles (corn snake, california king snake, four-line snake), amphibians (common toad, common frog, tree frog) and invertebrates (tarantulas, millipede, hissing cockroach). Some of the animals included are not native to our shores, but are highly prized as pets who do get released into our countryside.

2018 dormouse release   The Wildwood Trust team are celebrating after another record breaking year, this time providing 29 of the 39 dormice that have been recently released in a bid to halt the extinction of one of Britain’s most treasured wild animals. This 2018 reintroduction took place near Coventry and follows two previous dormice reintroductions in the area which have been a success. Not only is Wildwood the UK’s leading captive breeding centre for dormice but also manages the national dormouse studbook, making the vital choices of which individuals will be released and who breeds with who to avoid inbreeding.

Lynx experience   We're just putting together the final touches to our brand new lynx experience lauching soon. Participants will get the opportunity to find out more about this potential keystone species and their role in the woodland. You'll also get the chance to get behind-the-scenes access and feed them up close and personal.   Find out more about our animal experiences

Wildwood horses rewilding Wales   Wildwood have been hard at work helping to develop a bold new rewilding project in Wales - our wild horses are central to helping a new Wildwood to grow on wrecked overgrazed upland farmland. We are hopeful this is the beginning of the rewilding of our uplands and the return of our native wildlife including Red Squirrels and Pine Martens. Find out more here: https://www.cambrianwildwood.org/   Watch BBC coverage of the Konik horses

2018 BIAZA Awards   Wildwood is celebrating again this year after hearing it has won a Gold, Silver and Bronze in the 2018 BIAZA awards. It is the 2nd year in a row we have won a gold, silver and bronze, in recognition of the high standard of our activities and we couldn't be prouder.

Whisker touch sensing   We're very proud of our very own Vicki Breakell who was part of the team researching "Whisker touch sensing guides locomotion in small, quadrupedal mammals". The paper has now been published by no less than The Royal Society! Well done Vicki.   Follow this link to the published paper

Rare Baby Red Squirrels born at Wildwood Escot   British red squirrel conservation work in Devon got a welcome boost during the May half term. At Wildwood Escot in Ottery St Mary, recently arrived mum, Autumn gave birth to a new litter of kits.

Avoid summer queues   Just a reminder to members to please bring their membership cards when visiting the park, particularly when it is busy, as not having a card means that we have to check membership on our database. This can be time consuming and will mean that members will have to queue with paying guests rather than fast-tracking. Thanks!

FOLLOW US Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildwoodtrust Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WildwoodTrust Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thewildwoodtrust   ABOUT WILDWOOD Wildwood Trust opened in 1999 as a centre of excellence for the conservation of British wildlife, and was established as a registered charity in 2002. Wildwood is Kent's best British wildlife park. Home to over 200 native animals, past and present and set in 40 acres of beautiful ancient woodland where visitors can see bears, wolves, bison, deer, owls, foxes, red squirrels, wild boar, lynx, wild horses, badgers and beavers plus many more. As one of the leading British animal conservation charities in the UK, Wildwood Trust is dedicated to saving Britain's most threatened wildlife. Wildwood Trust have taken part in many ground-breaking conservation programmes to date, which include, saving the water vole, using wild horses to help restore Kent's most precious nature reserves, bringing the extinct European beaver back to Britain and returning the hazel dormouse & red squirrel to areas where they have been made extinct.

Wildwood Trust Herne Common Herne Bay Kent CT6 7LQ Registered Charity No: 1093702 Wildwood Kent: 01227 712 111 Wildwood Devon: 01404 822 188 info@wildwoodtrust.org