'Extinct' lizards go wild again

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/north_west/5315476.stm

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A project to release rare sand lizards into the wild in north Wales is being extended to sand dunes at Aberdyfi in Gwynedd.

The Countryside Council of Wales and The Herpetological Conservation Trust said there had been a high success rate with previous releases.

The lizards became extinct from north and west Wales in the 1960s.

The sand lizard is the rarest of the three types of native lizards found in Wales.

"Similar releases conducted over the past ten years have been very successful with a 78% survival rate," said Dr Liz Howe, the Countryside Council's reptile and amphibian expert.

"If this release is as successful we will be back at the same time next year and the year after to conduct more."

The released lizards were from the Merseyside race as they were "genetically the closest match" to the creatures which used to live in Wales, she added.

Safety work

Since reintroduction projects began in 1995, the number of lizards found in north Wales has increased.

Adult sand lizards can reach up to 22cm. During the breeding season the sides of the male are a striking shade of green.

Chris Davis, co-ordinator of the sand lizard captive breeding programme at the Herpetological Conservation Trust (HCT), said work was done at the sites beforehand to make sure the dunes were safe for the lizards.

The creatures were bred by HCT volunteers and by Chester and Jersey Zoos.

Lizards will also be released at Barkby Beach at Gronant near Prestatyn.