Wildlife

Wild Common Toad RVHD and Disease Welfare

Common toads face multiple disease threats alongside habitat loss, with Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) representing an emerging biosecurity threat requiring surveillance.

Key Facts

Bsal (salamander chytrid fungus) has devastated fire salamander populations in Europe
UK biosecurity screening monitors for Bsal introduction through the amphibian trade
Ranavirus causes mass mortality in amphibian populations including common toads
Chytrid fungus Bd is widespread in UK amphibian populations but causes less mortality than in tropics
Surveillance through citizen science and wildlife trust networks supports early disease detection

Welfare Considerations

Amphibian disease welfare requires both individual animal care and population-level biosecurity. Preventing introductions through the trade is the highest-priority intervention.

What You Can Do

Never release captive amphibians or water from their tanks into natural water bodies
Report mass amphibian deaths immediately to the Garden Wildlife Health project
Support Amphibian and Reptile Conservation's disease surveillance programme