Efforts underway to provide habitats for Great Crested Newts
WORK has begun to restore ponds and provide habitats for endangered Great Crested Newts in Leicestershire.
The county council has joined forces with Natural England to help conserve the native orange bellied amphibians.
Great Crested Newts, one of the UK’s three native newt species, have seen huge decline in their populations over the last 60 years, despite being heavily protected by law.
This is largely down to loss of their natural habitat.
Coun Blake Pain, Leicestershire County Council acting deputy leader and cabinet member for action on climate change, said: “The protection of the county’s green lands and its wildlife are essential in delivering a greener future for Leicestershire.
“By developing and conserving these sites, we’re not only helping to build more resilience into our living landscapes, protecting the Great Crested
Newt for future generations, but we’re also strengthening our commitment to biodiversity.”
This project aims to make existing ponds more attractive to the Great Crested Newt and introduce new ponds, expanding the habitat range of the species.
Annabelle Phillips, Great Crested Newt strategist at Natural England, said: “Our innovative licensing scheme works by creating bigger, better, and more joined-up habitat for this iconic and threatened species. We’re delighted to be working with Leicestershire local authorities and partners to bring this about.”
Sites located in Leicestershire’s country parks are planned for future habitats, giving people the opportunity to learn more about the Great Crested Newt.
Preparation work has already begun on one of the sites, with its completion expected by the end of the year.