Froglife are running our #StopSpawnSales social media campaign during March to tackle the illegal practice of selling wild-caught amphibian spawn online.
As most of us are aware, we are now in the peak of amphibian breeding season as our species are laying their eggs in ponds and pools across the country. This time of year also sees an unfortunate sharp rise in sales of wild-caught amphibian spawn (and even tadpoles) on online selling sites.
We aren’t party poopers! We know how fascinating it can be to take spawn home, watch it grow and release the tadpoles/froglets back into the wild, but we want people to do this legally and safely! Not only is there a massive risk of spreading amphibian disease and viruses, invasive plants and invertebrates, but the sale of wild-caught spawn or tadpoles is an offence under The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
What you can do to #StopSpawnSales:
- Never buy wild-caught spawn/tadpoles online! If you decide to raise frogspawn, it is crucial that all tadpoles/froglets/toadlets are released to the ponds where they were found to prevent spreading disease and invasive species
- If you see wild-caught spawn/tadpoles for sale on social media or online marketplaces, please report it to the marketplace itself in the first instance
- If further action is needed (i.e the posts aren’t taken down), please report it to your local Police Wildlife Crime Officer (with screen shots of the advert if possible)
- Spread the word! like and share our social media posts and encourage those around you to #StopSpawnSales
