"Edinburgh"

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8th October 2004

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DATE:	ANIMAL:	LOCATION:
13th September 2001	COMMON LIZARD	Pentlands
7th July 2004	SPECTACLED CAIMAN	Lothians

 

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Lothians
SPECTACLED CAIMAN
Two men are being questioned by Lothian and Borders police after a spectacled caiman was found in Edinburgh. The three and a half foot long reptile was discovered during a sting operation. SSPCA officers spotted an advertisement offering the animal for sale, and undercover police officers arranged a meeting. The two men were held after officers found the crocodilian in a wooden box in the boot of a car.

SSPCA spokeswoman Mairi Ball said: "These alligators will attack anyone, they have big teeth and can grow up to three metres long. "Presumably this one was imported and unfortunately, there's a trend for keeping these exotic pets by people who have no idea how to care for them. "These are killers, not pets, they can be very dangerous. This one was only a third of its full size."

The Caiman is now being cared for at a sanctuary.

7th July 2004
(Source: BBC News)

Written by: Lisa Willow

File: 2004-189
Ref No: 1414

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COMMON LIZARD
Look out . . there are more of these about
STEPHANIE TODD
REPTILE experts in Lothian today called for a scientific count of the area’s lizard population as growing accounts of sightings flood wildlife centres.

Numbers of the common lizard which, contrary to its name, is thought to be generally rare in Scotland are increasing steadily according to some amphibian followers. Scientists have revealed that the reptiles are now commonly seen in upland areas of the Pentlands and can also be found in Redmoss nature reserve near Balerno. However, an in-depth study into the creatures has never been carried out and no record of their numbers has ever been kept.

Experts say a count of Lothian’s reptile population is now long overdue and appealed to the public to help by informing them of lizard sightings. Dave Garner, group co-ordinator of the Lothian Amphibian and Reptile Group, said a new study was vital in helping determine just how significant a rise the lizard population had seen. He added: "There certainly seems to be a remarkable increase in lizard numbers in Scotland. "We need to get more people looking out for them and counting them for us. Lothian hotspots include the Pentlands and Redmoss, with walkers phoning in sightings to us. "However, some people see them all the time and don’t think to report them. "What will be interesting to find out is what the knock-on effects of this news is. Usually where you find large numbers of lizards, you find large numbers of adders and similar snakes too. The two species usually go hand in hand."

Frank Bowles, national co-ordinator for reptiles with the British Herpetological Society, has been studying the patterns of lizards in Scotland for more than 25 years. He said it was "good news" that lizards seemed to be on the increase around the country. Mr Bowles added: "In recent years there have been sightings in parts of Scotland where lizards have never been recorded, and lizards have been seen in much larger numbers than previously. "About five years ago the common lizard was deemed officially extinct in Fife but this spring a young anthropologist from Dunfermline said he had seen lizards only a mile away from Brankston Grange, a site where they were last seen in 1804."

Alistair Sommerville, of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, said a count would be beneficial to wildlife organisations trying to study the implications of a rise in the population of the species. He said: "Lothian does have lizards but at present we have no way of knowing just how widespread. Certainly some form of study would be a good idea."

Bob Saville of Lothian Wildlife Information Centre added: "We know there are lizards in Lothian, but it is impossible to say what the numbers are like at present. "We can’t come to a conclusion without a study but it is definitely worthwhile trying to find out."

Earlier this year, wildlife groups were considering plans to re-introduce adders to the Pentlands after a survey failed to find evidence of the venomous snakes living in the hills.

Searches carried out by rangers proved fruitless, despite the fact that experts believed the habitat was ideal. Although venomous, adders tend not to attack people unless they feel threatened. It is illegal to kill them and doing so carries a £5000 fine.

Apart from adders, Britain has only two species of snake, the declining grass snake and the rare smooth snake.

Edinburgh Evening News
Thursday, 13th September 2001