Heritage Council Grant Awarded to H.S.I.

The Importance of the Chytrid Study

Never before have amphibians been more threatened with extinction as they are now. The amphibian disease chytridiomicosis, caused by the pathogenic chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has been implicated as a major cause of the global decline and extinction of amphibian species and populations. 13 countries in Europe have already been shown to harbour this pathogenic fungus with over 29 species currently known to have infected populations.

The Importance in Ireland and The Herpetological Society of Ireland

The island of Ireland is deemed to be one of the last "Chytrid free" places in Western Europe however this status is not based on scientific study.

To remedy this situation the Herpetological Society of Ireland, in collaboration with National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Invasive Species Ireland (ISI) and Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC), with a generous grant from the Heritage Council, are to conduct the first ever survey of Irish amphibians to assess the status of the chytrid fungus in Ireland

Last November, Robert Gandola, H.S.I Senior Scientific Officer, submitted an application to the Heritage Council Grants Programme on behalf of the H.S.I.
The Herpetological Society of Ireland are pleased announce the success of this application and award of a Heritage Council Grant.

Your Help is Needed!

The H.S.I is in need of volunteer team leaders to lead swabbing teams in the following areas; Dublin,Galway,Cork and Belfast. Team leaders are required to undertake the swabbing of animals at locations identified as important to this study and supervise a team of volunteer assistants. Team leaders will have to apply for the appropriate licence(s) to permit the catching and swabbing of animals as scheduled under the Wildlife Act, 1976 and Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2000 for the Republic of Ireland and The Wildlife (Northern Ireland ) Order, 1985 and Wildlife (Amendment) Order, 1995 for Northern Ireland.

Persons interested should contact Rob Gandola at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

www.thehsi.org/heritage-council-grant-aw...hytrid-fungus-study/

Ian Millichip
(Chairperson, The Herpetological Society of Ireland).

Ian,
I applaud this initiative, but in reality who, other than dedicated people like yourselve in the HSI, would be bothered to apply for licences to catch and swab those creatures?
Bureaucracy (however well intended) will prove a large stumbling-block to potential well-meaning volunteers.
I fully accept that they are on the protected list, but surely there could be exceptions made (in the interest of the Amphibians (?Amphibia?).
You opinion is requested.

Comfortably.Numb wrote:

Ian,
I applaud this initiative, but in reality who, other than dedicated people like yourselve in the HSI, would be bothered to apply for licences to catch and swab those creatures?
Bureaucracy (however well intended) will prove a large stumbling-block to potential well-meaning volunteers.
I fully accept that they are on the protected list, but surely there could be exceptions made (in the interest of the Amphibians (?Amphibia?).
You opinion is requested.

The HSI have a good communication channel with the bodies who award the licenses.
The HSI will be advising people on obtaining licences, and training will be given.
The licensing is free.

Interestingly enough, since posting this on various forums and on FaceBook this morning, I have received committed offers of volunteers from non-HSI members.

The HSI does have an 'all inclusive' policy so that all directly and indirectly interested parties can be involved, and that there is an opportunity for people to contribute and gain some experience and training irrespective of being a HSI member.

Ian

Well done Ian and co.
Although, the Heritage Council?
Should this not be the remitt of the Dept. of the Enviornment?
(Or has Hogan stuffed this up too?)

P.s. Is there am import ban on carriers and is it enforced?

It is good to see the HSI are taking steps to see were we are in this country regarding this nasty fungus.

Sign me up.
EDIT: i dont have outlook so the mail link wont work for me.
Ian can you send me contact details for Rob? Thanks.

@Platy....very good. Rob usually gets back pretty quickly to people; if you haven't heard back soon then send another mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

@Murph.....the Heritage Council are funding the HSI after Rob Gandola (Senior Scientific Officer of the HSI) set-out a proposal for such work. The NPWS are the important government body under the Minister for State, the HSI are working in collaboration with them; but as an island, we also need to look to NI as well...and that is why we have collaboration with appropriate agencies in the UK.

On the prevention of importing species carrying the fungus.....that could be tied in with the Public Consultation on Invasive Alien Species (there is another thread on the forum which the HSI are involved with).

Ian