Frog Deaths

jbh742 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 01:03 PM

Hi Guys

I have joined this forum specifically to find out if anyone can help me with a problem.

I live in Hampshire and maintain two ponds, one medium and one small. We have a huge aray of wild life visiting.

The problem is my resident frogs are dieing! I have removed upto 6 bodies per day. It is quite distressing. The fish in the ponds are very healthy and breeding. The problem seems to be confined to the amphibians.

This has been going on for a number of years some worst than others. But each spring we still get fresh spawn.

Any clues?

Trgards

John

StuartDH · #2 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 01:52 PM

Hi jbh,

Could you give us some info on what the frogs look like when you take them out of the pond - emaciated, ulcers, changes in colour, feet or toes missing - and what time of year you get the most deaths.

It would also be helpful to know what other creatures you've got in the pond, especially if they're introduced like goldfish

Cheers

Stuart

jbh742 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-09-2005, 04:28 PM

They seem to be very dark coloured. Prior to death they are very lethargic (I suppose that figures).

I have not notice ulcers this year but I have in previous years. They are in a range of sizes from adults to juveniles.
I have taken most out in the last month - 10 last weekend - three this. I am sure there have been twenty or thirty died this year so far

A high proportion are dieing in the water - some are found around the pond on land.

I have a selection of carp, orf, goldfish, tench etc in the main pond. goldfish in the little pond - frogs have died in both in even proportions. Non of the fish are fresh stock they have mostly been around some time.

regards

John

henrya · #4 (**permalink**) 12-09-2005, 09:36 AM

This is almost certainly a virus. Please report it to Froglife ( www.froglife.org ) who are investigating such occurrences. They have an advice sheet on Unusual Frog Mortality.

henrya

StuartDH · #5 (**permalink**) 12-09-2005, 10:44 AM

Yep, it certainly sounds as though it could be a virus JBH and whilst there are many different causes, it's possible that could be due to an introduced species of fish.

However, there are also many other possibilities and Froglife should be able to give you the best idea about what to do to sort out the problem.

Stuart

henrya · #6 (**permalink**) 16-09-2005, 09:46 AM

It's now even more important that this is reported to Froglife. See:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4249136.stm

henrya

Boddie · #7 (**permalink**) 20-09-2005, 12:58 PM

I am sure that there was something on the BBC2 news at 11a.m. this morning in the middle of Ken Bruces show (just after Robbie Williams's My Monkey) pertaining to this subject. I will try to find it for you.

Have found the site and am listening to the stream - it is 1 hour 34 minutes into the show. Scientists in Washington are asking for a quarter of a billion £'s to help save one third of the 5,000 endangered species of anphibians thretened by climate change, habitat changes and fungul infections found in 4 continents and first reported in the UK last week They believe that such is the threat that the only way to save many frogs, toads and newts is by a program of captive breeding.

I would report your findings as soon as possible