Munich (dpa/lby) - The skin fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) is increasingly threatening fire salamanders in Bavaria. Experts fear that the animals could even die out in the Free State. An alliance of the three Bavarian nature conservation associations LBV (state association for bird and nature conservation), BUND Naturschutz and LARS (state association for amphibian and reptile protection) would now like to help with a breeding project.
For this, animals are to be taken from three populations and distributed to a total of five locations, the exact locations are still open. The aim is to create genetically diverse breeding lines that will serve as a reserve population. The suggestion comes from a study by the Frogs association
This requires financial resources of almost half a million euros. The conservationists are currently trying to get funding from the federal and state governments. The Bavarian Ministry of the Environment has so far supported the project. A spokesman said on request: "The fire salamander project, which also includes a feasibility study, is being financed by the Bavarian Ministry of the Environment. The results of the project are being comprehensively evaluated and targeted measures are derived." A specific funding amount was not mentioned.
The skin fungus was first confirmed in Bavaria in June 2020 in a fire salamander from the Steigerwald near Ebrach (Bamberg district). The fungus was probably imported from Asia and causes holes and growths in the animals. Many die within a few days. The fungus is harmless to other animals or humans.
