Hoppy ever after for our frogs

Sunday 27 September 2015

The south-west of the Island is now hopping with frogs thanks to the work of local conservationists.

Jersey’s agile frog – a species not found anywhere else in the British Isles - was once croakin’ it so fast it was on the brink of extinction and by the late 80’s could only be found in two ponds.

But Ouaisné is now full of them thanks to the Environment department and Durrell who’ve been working together for a number of years to protect this rare frog.

A team from the University of Kent has been analysing almost 30 years worth of data spawned by our conservationists and believe that the site is 'now at, or close to its carrying capacity.' 

 “A long-term partnership between the Department of the Environment and Durrell, combining habitat management, site protection and captive breeding techniques peaked in 2015 when a total of 155 spawn clumps were found.

The plan now is to expand the population at both Noirmont and Beauport and create corridors so that the frogs can mix and breed.

Tim said: "Ouaisné Common is now thought to be at saturation point and will not receive a large amount of recruits from the captive bred stock, these will now be released at their Noirmont or Beauport - the two other breeding sites. The Ouaisné population will continue to be monitored to ensure that any problems are brought to light as soon as possible."

"Efforts will concentrate on creating more suitable areas for the agile frogs to breed and to link these areas with habitat corridors to allow easy migration and mixing of populations.”