Wildlife

Wild Animal Welfare and UK Amphibian Pond Network

The UK amphibian pond network is a critical welfare and conservation infrastructure, with garden ponds playing an increasingly important role.

Key Facts

UK has lost 70% of its ponds since 1900, dramatically reducing amphibian habitat
Garden ponds now constitute a majority of amphibian breeding sites in suburban and urban areas
Connected pond networks support population resilience through immigration and emigration
Great crested newt pond creation is now funded through biodiversity net gain requirements
Amphibian population monitoring through pond surveys tracks welfare and conservation status

Welfare Considerations

The amphibian pond network is a welfare and conservation infrastructure that depends on individual garden pond creation. Each new pond expands the network and supports amphibian welfare.

What You Can Do

Create a wildlife pond without fish to contribute to the amphibian pond network
Connect your pond to neighbours through gap creation for amphibian passage
Participate in amphibian pond surveys to contribute population monitoring data