Wildlife

Wild Common Frog Pond Management

Garden ponds are essential refuges for common frogs facing habitat loss and disease across the UK.

Key Facts

Common frog populations have declined by 20 percent in the UK since the 1980s
Garden ponds have become critical refuges as rural wetlands are drained
Ranavirus and chytrid fungus cause disease outbreaks that can kill entire pond populations
Frogs return to their birth pond to breed, showing strong site fidelity
Introducing frogs or spawn from other ponds can spread disease

Welfare Considerations

Frogs affected by ranavirus suffer hemorrhagic disease causing skin lesions and systemic organ failure. Good garden pond management can support healthy populations while reducing disease risk.

What You Can Do

Create or maintain a garden pond with shallow edges and native vegetation
Never introduce frog spawn from other ponds to prevent disease spread
Report ranavirus outbreaks to the Frog Mortality Project to track disease spread