Minister of State from Kilkenny releases endangered species into Ireland’s newest National Park

Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD, from Kilkenny, has released 500 Natterjack Toadlets into the sand dunes at Inch peninsula in Dingle, Co. Kerry.

The release is part of an NPWS nature conservation project, which aims to halt the decline of this endangered species unique to the coastal areas of Castlemaine Harbour and Castlegregory in Co. Kerry. 

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"I’m delighted to be here today to release the final batch of this year’s toadlets, back into their natural habitat within these beautiful sand dunes at Inch," Noonan said.

"This has really become an annual event for nature lovers in the Kingdom, and is such a great example of science and the local community working together to halt the decline of this iconic species, unique to Castlemaine and Castlegregory. 

"This is also the first time for our precious toadlets to be released into Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, Ireland’s newest National Park.

"All of us hope that the Páirc, with its spectacular sand dunes here at Inch is a place where they can continue to breed and thrive."

Natterjacks are particularly vulnerable to predators and also depend on shallow ponds for their survival at an early stage of their development.

The mortality of natterjack spawn and tadpoles in the wild can be greater than 90%.

NPWS has been working with Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium over the past seven years to explore if captive rearing can be used to boost the natterjack population at Inch.

Every year NPWS staff collect toad spawn and/or tadpoles from Inch in April and May and bring them to Oceanworld where they are reared in special holding tanks until they reach metamorphosis.

In July and August they are released back into the wild by NPWS staff.

The captive rearing programme at Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium has reduced the mortality rate of this endangered species to less than 25%.

2,500 toadlets have been released back into Inch this year, including those released today. 

The release at Inch follows the establishment of Ireland’s eighth National Park, and first Marine Park – Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí.

The sand dune system at Inch is one of the largest and finest in Europe, and has long been recognised as one of the most important breeding sites in the country for Natterjack Toads.

It is designated under Castlemaine Harbour Special Area of Conservation and Special Protection Area, and is surrounded by the Castlemaine Harbour Nature Reserve.

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