Saxon alliance for the protection of the fire salamander

An alliance for the protection of the fire salamander has been formed in Saxony. The aim is to set up a monitoring and early warning system to protect the fire salamander in Saxony, the Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains district office announced in Pirna on Wednesday. The Dresden University of Applied Sciences, the University of Leipzig and the Senckenberg Natural History Collections Dresden are involved in the project.

Saxon Switzerland is a key distribution area for the fire salamander in Saxony and is therefore relevant for the population of the protected species. The "rain men" - as these amphibians are also known - only leave their hiding place when it rains or when the humidity is high. They are endangered above all by road traffic and the loss of their habitat. In addition, a harmful skin fungus, known as salamander plague, has been occurring in the animals for several years. However, it has not yet been detected in Saxony.

According to the district office, the first step is to add information on the occurrence of the species in the region and close detection gaps. "In order to be able to make statements about the population of the fire salamander, its endangerment and future changes, the occurrence of adult animals and their larvae as well as the habitats will be scientifically mapped and the suitability of the locations in the region assessed," it said. The animals will also be examined for the aforementioned skin fungus.

Animal lovers were called upon to participate: "Anyone can take part in the mapping of fire salamander occurrences in the region." If fire salamanders are discovered, the observations can be entered into the reporting form using the link "https://arcg.is/DSCK1" or a QR code. The exact location, the date of discovery and a photo of the animal taken from above, on which the individual dorsal pattern can be easily recognized, are important.