Froglife run our annual #StopSpawnSales social media campaign during March to tackle the illegal practice of selling wild-caught amphibian spawn and tadpoles 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.
One of the biggest reasons for people buying spawn/tadpoles online is to stock their ponds at home. However, if there is no spawn or tadpoles in your garden pond, then there is a good reason for this. Either your pond hasn’t had time to establish or the pond/ surrounding environment is unsuitable and this could result in the bought spawn failing or the tadpoles that develop from it to die.
Another reason for people buying spawn/ tadpoles is to use them as an educational tool and watch them develop at home. 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’s 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
Further resources:
FSC Guide to Keeping Common Frog Tadpoles
Just Add Water guide (a guide for creating wildlife ponds)
Wildlife at Home (guides on how to make your gardens more wildlife friendly)