500 Natterjack toadlets reared in Fota Wildlife Park released into the wild in Kerry

The species is considered to be endangered in Ireland and is also protected under the EU’s Habitats Directive.

Minister of State, Malcolm Noonan TD, pictured at Fota Wildlife Park with a Natterjack Toad. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan /OSM PHOTO

500 captive-reared Natterjack toadlets have been released into the wild in Castlegregory, Co Kerry, the latest group to be reared as part of a joint project between Fota Wildlife Park and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), in a timely boost for the endangered species of amphibians. 

Almost 6,000 toadlets have been successfully released into the wild as part of this initiative to date with the latest estimates placing their population at less than 10,000.