Conservation Status
Some newt populations in Europe have decreased because of pollution or destruction of their breeding sites and terrestrial habitats, and countries such as the UK have taken steps to halt their declines. In the UK, they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Habitat Regulations Act 1994. It is illegal to catch, possess or handle Great crested newts without a licence, and it is also illegal to cause them harm or death, or to disturb their habitat in any way. The IUCN Red List categorises the species as ‘lower risk’ Although the other UK species, the Smooth newt and Palmate newt are not listed, the sale of either species is prohibited under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981.
In Europe, nine newts are listed as "strictly protected fauna species" under appendix II of the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats:
- Euproctus asper
- Euproctus montanus
- Euproctus platycephalus
- Triturus carnifex
- Triturus cristatus
- Triturus dobrogicus
- Triturus italicus
- Triturus karelinii
- Triturus montandoni
The remaining European species are listed as "protected fauna species" under appendix III.
Read more about this topic: Newt
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