Atul Srivastava on Behalf of Jim Foster Amphibian And

From: Atul Srivastava on behalf of Jim Foster Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust 655A Christchurch Road, Bournemouth BH1 4AP, United Kingdom Tel: 00 44 1202 391 319 Email: [email protected]

To: Kevin Johnson Taxon Officer, Amphibian Ark [email protected]

30 April 2017

Dear Kevin,

Please see below our proposal for an Amphibian Ark Seed Grant for the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (ARC Trust) based in the UK.

1. Project Title: Reintroduction of the Northern Pool Frog to the UK

2. Project Leaders: Jim Foster, Conservation Director, ARC Trust; email: jim.foster@arc- trust.org; Yvette Martin, Amphibian Conservation Officer, ARC Trust; email: [email protected]

3. Funding requested from Amphibian Ark: US $5,000.

4. Executive summary The northern pool frog Pelophylax lessonae became extinct in the UK in 1995, largely as a result of habitat loss and deterioration. The species had often been considered an introduced species until the late 20th century, unfortunately therefore escaping conservation attention. This northern clade of P. lessonae is highly distinct from southern forms, with Norway and Sweden being the only other range states. A reintroduction programme initiated by ARC Trust and partners in 2005 has restored one population to a specially prepared UK site using wild-to-wild translocation of Swedish founders. Whilst that intervention appears to be successful to date, the result is that UK has had only a single population of P. lessonae in recent years. This is clearly a perilous situation: should any harm come to that population, the species would again risk being extirpated from the UK. Therefore, the ARC Trust has been working to establish a second population. This focuses on head-starting, rather than direct wild-to-wild translocation. In 2015-6 we trialled head-starting methods with limited success, and following a review we now wish to adopt a more thorough approach. The outcome of this carefully planned ex situ intervention will be that the UK conservation status of the northern pool frog will be considerably improved, via the establishment of a second viable population. The northern pool frog is the UK’s rarest amphibian species, and is strictly protected by national and European legislation. Whilst at the species level its IUCN Red List status is LC (Least Concern) at the global scale, this masks the particular conservation significance of the rare northern form. The northern pool frog is a high conservation priority in all three known range states (UK, Sweden and Norway). At the country scale, the Red List status is provisionally considered EN (Endangered) in the UK.

5. Introduction 5.1 Main conservation problem: The northern pool frog Pelophylax lessonae has only one functional population in the UK. This single population was established through a reintroduction programme led by the ARC Trust, with releases occurring from 2005-2008. The species had become nationally extinct in the UK in 1995, largely because of outright habitat loss and the degradation and fragmentation of remaining habitats. The cessation of traditional land management methods and over-abstraction of water proved to be particularly detrimental. The species did not receive the conservation attention it deserved until too late, because it was long considered an introduction from continental Europe. In an unfortunate twist of fate, it was only as the last population declined to extinction that research revealed it to be native and therefore of conservation importance. With only a single functional population in the UK, the species remains highly vulnerable. Should any adverse events arise, such as a disease outbreak, there is a risk this population could crash and the UK would perhaps lose its northern pool frogs once again.

5.2 Proposed corrective actions: We propose to establish a second population of northern pool frogs, in order to increase the resilience of the UK resource. This would reduce the risks inherent in having only a single population, which leaves us on the brink of national-level extinction should harm come to the first population.

We aim to establish a second population using a head-starting approach, taking spawn from the first population and then releasing well-grown larvae and metamorphs at the second reintroduction site. The proposal to establish a second population has been constructed using the IUCN/SSC Guidelines for Reintroductions and Other Conservation Translocations, and the detail is available in our reintroduction plan (Baker & Foster, 2015).

ARC is committed to ensuring that any activity delivered as a result of an AArk Seed Grant would be carefully monitored, and the activities and results written up in the literature for the benefit of the wider amphibian conservation community. We have already used the first reintroduction of the first population as a means to trial and document reintroduction approaches and methods (e.g. Buckley & Foster, 2005 outlines the reintroduction strategy). A substantial paper on the methods and outcomes of that project will be submitted imminently, documenting 12 years of post-release monitoring. Essentially this demonstrates that wild-to- wild translocation from Sweden to the UK has created a population and met our medium-term success criteria. We have also worked with partners to develop and document novel methods, particularly in relation to disease risk assessment (e.g. Sainsbury et al, 2016; Vaughan- Higgins et al, 2017). Our work is featured as Appendix 4 of the recently updated Disease Manual produced by the Conservation Breeding Specialist group in collaboration with Amphibian Ark and others.

5.3 Anticipated outcomes: Our anticipated outcomes are as follows: • The UK conservation status of the northern pool frog is considerably improved, via the establishment of a second viable population. • Head-starting methods for northern pool frogs are deployed and evaluated, with the results documented in the literature in order to assist with reintroduction efforts for this species and other amphibians with a similar life history.

5.4 Relationship with AArk values: Our ex-situ head-starting project would fit well with AArk values by working towards your vision (the world’s amphibians safe in nature) and mission (ensuring the survival and diversity of amphibian species focusing on those that cannot be safe-guarded in their natural environments). The head-starting project will enable us to deploy an ex situ method to considerably improve the conservation status for an extremely rare amphibian. Importantly, we think that ex situ methods are the most realistic route for achieving this outcome, since natural colonisation of new sites is unlikely to occur and direct translocation would not result in sufficient founders (at least not without risking harm to the donor population). In addition, we will continue (working with our partners and using resources already secured) to ensure the habitat at the reintroduction site is maintained in good condition, and the population is safeguarded as it establishes.

6. Methodology We propose to establish a second UK population of northern pool frogs using head-starting. The release site is Thompson Common, a nature reserve in the county of Norfolk in Eastern England (the last known native locality before extinction). We have worked with the site owners to prepare the habitat to reach optimal condition. In 2015-6 we trialled head-starting methods on a small scale, collecting spawn, rearing and releasing late stage larvae. This resulted in the release of some individuals at Thompson Common, though not enough to reliably found a population. However, building on this experience and with additional resources we can enhance husbandry methods, biometric measurement and project management to generate a larger number of high quality founders. This will in turn ensure the highest chance of establishing a population. We have consulted the literature and taken advice on head-starting methods from a range of authorities, including the Zoological Society of London, who have been especially helpful. Detailed husbandry protocols are in development, along with project management standards. The design of a dedicated head-starting facility is underway. This will be constructed in a secure location within easy reach of the donor and release sites. The construction and equipping of this head-starting facility will be the largest element of expenditure in the project. We envisage purchasing a cabin, shed or similar and then adapting it.

This is a summary of our methods: - Prepare release site and ensure measures are in place to ensure continued maintenance of good habitat condition (completed) - Secure all permissions for capture and release of founder stock (largely completed) - Design dedicated head-starting facility in collaboration with experts (in progress) - Develop protocols and guidance on collection of spawn, transfer to head-starting facility, captive management, release of founders, disease risk assessment, disease risk management and post-release health surveillance (in progress) - Recruit and train staff member (planned) - Construct and equip head-starting facility (planned) - Undertake head-starting and release according to protocols and guidance (planned) - Undertake monitoring and evaluation (planned) - Document activities and results (planned).

The first release via head-starting will be in summer 2018, with a second in 2019. Subject to evaluation of population data, we may undertake a third head-starting release in 2010. We are working with a range of partners to develop these plans.

7. Budget

Budget category Item/amount Requested Other sources/status* from AArk Design, Building construction, $10,000 $3,000 $7,000 sought from other construction and Installation of water supply, air sources equipping of ex conditioner, refrigerator etc, $5,000 $1,000 $4,000 sought from other situ facility Aquaria, filters, heaters, water testing sources kits, etc, $1,000 $1,000 0 Quarantine barrier, $200 0 $200 sought from other sources Spawn Contract for project officer, $40,000 0 $40,000 sought from other collection, sources ($2,500 received captive from Clark Bradbury management, Trust) field survey and Husbandry materials incl. food, 0 $1,000 sought from other release gloves, $1,000 sources Advice on Staff salaries, 5 days @$320, $1,600 0 $1,600 secured from ARC habitat Trust management Project Staff salaries, 40 days @$320, $12,800 secured from ARC management $12,800 0 Trust $1,500 secured from ARC Travel & subsistence, $1,500 0 Trust Disease risk Specialist advice and laboratory fees, 0 $8,000 in kind contribution management $8,000 secured from specialists advice including Institute of Zoology and Natural England Captive Specialist advice, 8 days @$320, 0 $2,560 in kind contribution management $2,560 secured from specialists advice including Zoological Society of London Total $83,660 $5,000 $78,660 Percentage 6% 94% Conversion calculations based on £1 = US$1.283 on 20 April 2017.

*Notes on budget: ARC Trust is seeking an AArk Seed Grant of $5,000. We would use 100% of these funds to support the construction and equipping of the head-starting facility. ARC Trust is providing funds for some staffing and associated costs, and we are undertaking fund- raising to meet the rest of the costs for the project. To date, we have received assurances of funding from the Clark Bradbury Trust (£2,000, approx. $2,500) and Anglian Water (£5,000, approx. $6,400). External organisations including Institute of Zoology have offered in kind support. We have requested cash contributions from Natural England and the British Herpetological Society, with informal indications of likely contributions of $12,000 and $6,400 respectively. We are actively seeking funds to make up the shortfall by contacting Trusts, Foundations and private companies.

8. Scientific citations Baker, J.M.R. & Foster, J. (2015). Pool Frog Reintroduction Plan for Thompson Common, Norfolk. Version: 20 March 2015. Unpublished report. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Bournemouth.

Buckley, J. & Foster, J. (2005). Reintroduction strategy for the pool frog Rana lessonae in England. English Nature Research Report 642. English Nature, Peterborough. Sainsbury, A. W., Yu ‐Mei, R., Ågren F., Peniche, G. and & Foster, J. (2016). Disease Risk Analysis and Post ‐Release H ealth Surveillance for a Reintroduction Programme: the Pool Frog Pelophylax lessonae. Transboundary and emerging diseases. doi:10.1111/tbed.12545. Vaughan-Higgins, R. J., Masters, N., & Sainsbury, A. W. (2017). Biosecurity for Translocations: Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus), Fisher’s Estuarine Moth (Gortyna borelii lunata), Short-Haired Bumblebee (Bombus subterraneus) and Pool Frog (Pelophylax lessonae) Translocations as Case Studies. EcoHealth, Volume 14, Supplement 1: 84–91.

9. Timeline Activity Jul-Sep Oct-Dec Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sep Oct-Dec 2017 2017 2018 2018 2018 2018 Design, construction and X X X equipping of ex situ facility Spawn collection, captive X X mangmnt, survey & release Advice on habitat X X management Project management X X X X X X Disease risk management X X X X X X advice Captive management advice X X X X X Results dissemination X Subject to success in 2018, we will apply for funds to repeat the head-starting process in 2019. 10. Supporting letters Prof Phil Bishop, Amphibian Specialist Group (endorsement); Dr Tony Gent, Chief Executive Officer, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust (institutional support).