GBR Presse: Toad alert over pond weedkiller

[Herp News]

TAMESIDE ADVERTISER (Manchester, UK) 01 October 09 Toad alert over pond weedkiller
Toads, frogs and newts are feared to be in danger after weedkiller was sprayed all around a pond.
David Cooper says herbicide has been applied all around the pond in Pole Park, Gee Cross, Hyde in a band 1ft 6ins to two feet wide to reduce the foliage.
"These toads are only the size of a five pence piece," Mr Cooper said."They spawn in the pond and frogs and newts are in there too. The toads lived at the edge of the pond in the long grass. When me and my brother went down we saw this strip of dead, yellow foliage around the circumference of the pond. Nothing could go in or out (of the pond) without going through this. It can’t be good for anything that crosses it. What will the long- term effects be?"
He added: "Whoever did this should have strimmed the grass or used edge cutters."
David, 53, a lorry driver, was born on Apethorn Lane and regularly returns to the park to take photographs of the wildlife.
Greater Manchester Ecological Unit confirmed that a licence from the Environment Agency is needed to use herbicides in or near water courses like canals or ponds, particularly in ancient woodland like Pole Bank Park.
A Tameside Council spokeswoman said: "Our grounds maintenance team carried out some routine maintenance in Pole Bank Park including weed control work. We were not aware of any distress being caused to aquatic wildlife in or around the pond and subsequent inspections have not revealed any problems that may be attributed to the work we have undertaken. However, we do take such matters very seriously and will review how future maintenance in the vicinity of the pond is undertaken."
She said they are also looking at improvement works aimed at enhancing the pond as a habitat for wildlife.
Toad alert over pond weedkiller - News - Tameside Advertiser

[Kurt]

Those responsible should be hung up by their ankles and be beaten like a piñata.