Celebrating the release of almost 500 natterjack toadlets at Castlegregory, Co. Kerry, late July 2022, Dr Ferdia Marnell, the amphibian specialist at National Parks and Wildlife Service who has been overseeing the project, refers to the natterjack toads as a “boom or bust” species. And this year was not one of the good ones. The captive rearing ensures that some eggs do make it through to toadlets every year and that is particularly important in dry years like this.”
Natterjacks endure natural mortality rates as high as 90%, with large numbers of eggs and tadpoles typically lost every summer due to predators and ponds drying out.
Some of the toadlets were spawned in captivity – a first for Ireland and a major milestone in this joint conservation project between NPWS and Fota Wildlife Park. A small number of mature natterjacks are being held in Fota and these produced spawn (captive breeding), providing a timely boost to the conservation efforts to save the species.
The natural range of the natterjack toad is restricted to the coastal zones of Castlemaine Harbour and Castlegregory in Co. Kerry. The species suffered significant losses in range and population in the early 20th century due to land reclamation and changes in agricultural practices in these areas. Latest estimates put the population at less than 10,000 individuals in the wild. As a result the natterjack toad is considered to be endangered in Ireland and is protected under the EU’s Habitats Directive.
NPWS efforts to address habitat loss for the toad have focused on pond creation schemes, with some success. A new results-based farm plan scheme specifically for natterjack toads is now being rolled out by NPWS with local farmers.