SUCCESS IN THE SAND

Collaborative captive breeding helps support the UK’s rarest lizard.

Earlier this year, Exotics Keeper Magazine joined Amphibian and Reptile Conservation at the New Forest to discuss the importance of heathland to our native species. Recently, the charity, along with Marwell Zoo and Forestry England have rewilded 140 rare sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) into suitable habitats across England.

Successful breeding

Captive breeding is very often a last resort for conservation efforts. It requires lots of time, research and resources, but also represents a huge step forward in preserving a species. However, once a healthy genetically-sound population is breeding, it offers hope for reintroduction.

The young sand lizards bred by Marwell Zoo were reintroduced on Forestry England land in Dorset and follow on from a group of 200 released in the same spot last year. Despite an unfavourable spring, many lizards managed to lay two clutches of eggs and the lack of prolonged hot or wet periods over the summer helped these to remain in good condition, prior to being excavated and incubated until hatching.

Rachel Gardner, Ecologist at Marwell Wildlife Park, said: “Our conservation breeding population of sand lizards has had another exceptional year. This is Marwell’s thirty third year of involvement with the sand lizard reintroduction project and prior to this we have contributed over 2,200 lizards to releases in the south of England. Marwell Wildlife is committed to the restoration of species and habitats and we are thrilled to be able to continue supporting this vital conservation work. More widely we have seen favourable trends for native wildlife populations in 2021 across the protected areas we have restored and manage. It is wonderful that this is reflected in our contribution of sand lizard hatchlings to the release in Dorset this year.”

Want to know more?

To watch our exclusive look at heathland habitats with Owain Masters of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, please visit the Exotics Keeper YouTube Channel.

To find out more about ARC’s national sand lizard reintroduction programme visit https://www.arc-trust.org/pages/category/saving-species

Declining habitat

Once widespread in England, sand lizards have declined considerably owing to loss of suitable habitats and are now only found in a few isolated areas of southern England and Merseyside. Reintroductions in several locations across the UK are seeking to boost numbers and restore the habitats these rare animals need to thrive. Dorset is one of the key strongholds for sand lizards with over 70% of the remaining UK population found here.

In the UK sand lizards are dependent on dry, sandy lowland heathland or coastal sand dunes. Growing to around 20cms long, females can be identified by their sandybrown colour with rows of dark and white spots called ocelli along their backs. Males have vivid green flanks which are particularly distinctive during the breeding season.

The restoration of sand lizards to heathland habitat is a vital part of a wider conservation and environmental recovery. Sand lizards are good indicators of a healthy ecosystem where flora and fauna are thriving.

“Dorset’s heathlands and forests are home to some of the UK’s rarest wildlife and we work hard to ensure they have the right habitats to thrive here” added Mark Warn, Wildlife Ranger at Forestry England. “Projects like this require commitment over the long term and whilst there is still much more work to be done it’s really encouraging to see the positive progress being made by the sand lizards released over the last few years. We hope today’s release will further boost their population.”

Captive breeding and rewilding

There are lots of intersecting aspects with conservation and captive breeding. First and foremost, understanding the breeding conditions of a species. In captivity this extends to developing the skills required to successfully breed the animals, as well as understanding the intricacies of how to ‘head-start’ the offspring, can be extremely beneficial. Sharing this information, research and observations to the public is a great way for private keepers to assist in global and future conservation efforts.

Of course, properly sanctioned facilities such as Marwell Zoo, in collaboration with properly managed field conservation and surveys is paramount to successful reintroductions. The sand lizards released in Dorset over recent years have been bred at Marwell’s specialist reptile breeding centre, Forestry England’s Reptile Centre, Avon Heath Country Park and by local wildlife specialist Martin Noble. Private keepers should never breed animals for their own rewilding operations without first venturing down all the correct channels. This can sometimes take years of research before a population is ready to be released.

Nick Moulton, Reptile Conservation Officer for ARC, said: “We are delighted to be able to release an encouragingly high number of sand lizards again this year. Conservation projects like this rely on the hard work and support of multiple agencies. We are extremely grateful to Forestry England for supporting the releases and their ongoing management of key habitats, and to Marwell Zoo and our breeding partners for their captive breeding expertise and ongoing support of this project.”

“The amazing work taking place to restore and care for heathlands is playing a vital role in re-establishing the UK’s population of these incredible reptiles. It is still early days, but data from our introductions in Dorset over recent years is showing promising signs of ongoing breeding and the establishment of populations across a growing area. Today’s release of the next group of young sand lizards is another important milestone in continuing this recovery of a critical species.”