Camden New Journal - News: Heath residents head for sunnier climes

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Camden New Journal
Published: 26 April 2007

Heath residents head for sunnier climes

TERRAPINS living wild on Hampstead Heath have been caught this week as park rangers begin a mass trapping campaign to rid ponds of the reptiles.
It is estimated that more than 150 red-eared terrapins are in the ponds – dumped by people who kept them as pets but found they were hard to look after and quickly outgrew their tanks.
Specially designed traps have been placed in three Highgate ponds to catch the beasts as they bask in the sun. Once caught, Heath bosses plan to fly the reptiles to a sanctuary in Italy.
Heath ranger Bob Gillam (above right), who has helped place the specially constructed traps in the centre of the men’s pond, ladies’ pond and the number three boating pond, said as the weather improved, more terrapins were coming out to sunbathe. In just a week they have caught six of the animals.
He said: “We think there are around 150 here, but it is very difficult to know. We see them in just about all the ponds, so it is quite widespread. You have to be careful handling them – they have very sharp claws and can give quite a nasty bite.”
Fellow ranger Rob Renwick (left), who helped design the traps made from waste pipes and chicken wire, added: “The terrapin is not native to the Heath and they eat a lot – they attack newts, toads, frogs and fish, and have even been known to take ducklings. Also, conditions on the Heath are not ideal for them. They can suffer from malnourishment and are prone to disease. It is in their own interest we take them where they will be properly looked after.”
A reptile charity has offered to find them new homes at a sanctuary in Italy.

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