CROWDFOUNDING PYRENEAN BROOK NEWT
26 july 2021
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Among many threats that this species has for its survival there is one that not only affects the Pyrenean brook newt but is the greatest threat to many amphibian species in the world: a fungi disease, chytridiomicosi.
The research group from Barcelona's Veterinary Faculty (UAB) specialized in wild animals diseases, Wildlife Conservation Medicine (WildCoM), has started an ambitious project to monitorize the catalan populations of the Pyrenean brook newt to establish strategies to control the disease that will be useful also for many other threatened amphibians species.
This spring they have already started field surveys in different Natural Parks (Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser, Cadí-Moixeró and Alt Pirineu) where they have collected numerous samples to be analyzed both of Pyrenean brook newt and other amphibians that cohabit in the same habitat.
As well, a series of devices have been installed that constantly monitorize parameters such as environmental temperature, relative humidity and water temperature.
Study results will determine the extent to which this disease is having an impact on Pyrenean brook newt populations and will allow managers of protected areas and biodiversity to take the necessary measures to minimise the effect and improve their situation.
More than 60 people and institutions have already collaborated with the project through financial contributions that will guarantee to do all the field surveys and laboratory analyses.
ORYX has collaborated too! We encourage everyone to do so.
