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Relocation question: |
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Robbielab Member Joined: 16 Apr 2008 No. of posts: 26  View other posts by Robbielab |
Posted: 26 Aug 2008 Hi, I have recently been contacted by a Parish Counsellor in Rodney Stoke who wanted some advice because they have a colony of adders on the village play area and were wondering if they could be relocated. Does anyone know much about relocating adders? I have no idea how many she is talking about and obviously if they were to be moved it would have to be done properly. Any suggestions would be great. Cheers, Robbie Robbie |
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badgerboy Member Joined: 15 Dec 2006 No. of posts: 8  View other posts by badgerboy |
Posted: 27 Aug 2008 Hi Robbie I think it all hinges on why the Council wants the Adders moved. Section 9(1) of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) protects Adders from being killed, injured or taken in England. As such, they could only be taken (even if it is only picking them up) if it is done under a licece issued by Natural England for one of the purposes listed in Section 16(3) of the Act. Hope that helps. Badgerboy |
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David Bird Forum Specialist Joined: 17 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 515 View other posts by David Bird |
Posted: 27 Aug 2008 Badgerboy can you provide a link to the amendment please as I can find nothing in an hours searching on the "or taken" for the so called common species including the Adder. regards David British Herpetological Society Librarian and member of B.H.S Conservation Committee. Self employed Herpetological Consultant and Field Worker. |
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David Bird Forum Specialist Joined: 17 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 515 View other posts by David Bird |
Posted: 27 Aug 2008 I think that the taking only refers to Smooth Snake and Sand Lizard where reptiles are concerned. There is a Regulation 44(2)(e) that allows a licence for these for the purpose of preserving public health or public safety. This would , I think , be the obvious reason for moving Adders from an existing play area but still do not think a licence for this species is required. When I am asked to move Adders I always explain their life cycle during the year. i.e Hibernacula on a bank or similar which they use each year and mass together in Spring which is not often in a heavily used or populated area. Movement from this after mating to a feeding area for the rest of the Summer, they may move around as the food source is reduced and animals may only be present in certain areas infrequently. I always ask the people involved to decide what part of the life cycle the actual site takes part in as this will affect whether it is worth moving them permanently, 5 km. away or a waste of time as other animals may drift in at any time. I obviously make my own mind up and involve them in finding out when and how many animals are seen at any one time and what they were doing and would correct them if I thought they had made a wrong decision. Always get the correct identification as well I have found that it does not matter how many photos you show people, how clearly you describe the differences and how expert they say they are 95 % of people say it is an Adder. I have one quarry manager who swears a snake he has photographed is an Adder and not a Smooth Snake when he has both photos on the screen and I am pointing out the differences. British Herpetological Society Librarian and member of B.H.S Conservation Committee. Self employed Herpetological Consultant and Field Worker. |
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Matt Member Joined: 09 Feb 2006 No. of posts: 23 View other posts by Matt |
Posted: 01 Sep 2008 [QUOTE=Robbielab]Hi, Is the Councillor (and yourself ) 100% certain these "Adders" are in fact Adders, not Grass Snakes or Slow-worms. First thing to do would be a survey to establish what herps are on-site. Matt BRAG - Berkshire Reptile & Amphibian Group |
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badgerboy Member Joined: 15 Dec 2006 No. of posts: 8 View other posts by badgerboy |
Posted: 03 Sep 2008 All My apologies. Adders are only protected in England from intentional killing or injuring. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule) Order 1991 available at: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1991/Uksi_19910367_en_1.htm amended the original 1981 Act. This states: "2.ù(1) The adder (Vipera berus) (which is already listed in Schedule 5 to the Act in respect of section 9(5) only) is hereby further listed in respect of section 9(1) so far as it relates to killing and injuring." Section 9(5) protects Adders from sale, advertisment for sale etc. The Habs Regs don't apply as they are not an EPS so no licence is needed to "take" Adders.
Badgerboy |
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Robbielab Member Joined: 16 Apr 2008 No. of posts: 26 View other posts by Robbielab |
Posted: 04 Sep 2008 Thanks to everyone for your helpful comments, much appreciated. I will pass them on! Cheers! Robbie |
- Relocation question |
