Common Newts

[lankeela]

A friend of mine has a pond that the farmer wants to dig out and extend so the water from his field drains into it. At present there are Common Newts living in it, and she wants to know if they are protected in any way. I did find out for her that they are partially protected under the Wildlife Act but wonder if anyone has any more info. (She really wants an excuse to tell the farmer he can't do it).

[spudqueen]

I don't think that common newts are protected, this site suggests (as I think) that it is the great crested newt which is endangered and as such, protected
http://www.animalcorner.co.uk/bi_marine.html

[wildwood]

If the pond is on your friend's property, let the farmer dig a pond on his own. Farm runoff, both from cattle and cropping land, will promote algae and weed growth to the extend that the pond soon becomes choked and dies biologically.

[wendilla]

pass held up by newts
The discovery of a protected species means the long-awaited Earl Shilton bypass may not be finished until February 2009 and could cost another �1.7 million pounds.

A colony of newts has forced a delay of up to three months in a major road-building project - and could add �1.7 million to the bill.

Leicestershire County Council has to ensure the habitat of the great-crested newts is not harmed during the construction.

The creatures are not directly on the line of the new by-pass but were found on a site adjacent to the bypass.

The scheme has been set back because their habitat will now have to be fenced off to prevent it from being disturbed by builders.

Interestingly a routine wildlife survey was carried out before planning permission was given for the bypass in 2006, but no newts were found.

Some locals have suggested that the newts may have been introduced in the last 18 months to deliberatly cause a delay, although there is nothing to suggest this is the case.

[lankeela]

Great crested newts are protected and cannot be moved, but these are common newts. They can't be sold, but think she is now going to ask him to wait until after the breeding season.

[jackrabbit]

All native amphibians in Great Britain are protected by law

[burnhal]

to expand on the answer above- all Britains amphibians are protected under the 81 Wildlife and Countryside Act. They are Section 5 listed. Restrictions are The Act makes it an offence (subject to exceptions) to intentionally kill, injure, or take, possess, or trade in any wild animal listed in Schedule 5, and prohibits interference with places used for shelter or protection, or intentionally disturbing animals occupying such places. The Act also prohibits certain methods of killing, injuring, or taking wild animals.

However the words subject to exceptions apply to the common toad, common frog, palmate newt and smooth (common) newts. The only protection for these is no trading in them