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🇧🇪 Belgium /Environment & Climate

Endangered Newt Thrives in Belgian Reserve After Conservation Efforts

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • The great crested newt population in Boortmeerbeeks Broek, Belgium, has significantly recovered.
  • Thousands of these endangered newts now inhabit the area after a reintroduction program began a decade ago.
  • Conservation efforts, including habitat creation, have proven successful, though the ecosystem remains fragile.

The Boortmeerbeeks Broek nature reserve in Belgium is experiencing a remarkable resurgence of the great crested newt, an endangered species. Conservation group Natuurpunt reports that the population has recovered significantly, with estimates now reaching several thousand individuals.

Now we estimate a population of several thousand.

— Julien ChaubetNatuurpunt representative, on the recovered population of great crested newts.

About ten years ago, conservationists reintroduced around 3,000 newt larvae into the marshy valley area, in collaboration with the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO). Financial support from the province of Flemish Brabant enabled the creation of new ponds and the deepening of existing ones. These efforts have paid off, with measurements indicating a strengthened population.

These efforts have paid off.

— Julien ChaubetCommenting on the success of the conservation and habitat creation initiatives.

"This is very good news," stated Julien Chaubet of Natuurpunt. "Firstly, it is an endangered species. Moreover, the success of the great crested newt shows that the ecosystem in Boortmeerbeeks Broek is improving." The recovery is a significant boost for the volunteers who have worked tirelessly on the project.

This is very good news.

— Julien ChaubetDescribing the significance of the population recovery.

However, the delicate balance of the ecosystem was highlighted last year when a nearby construction site's dewatering efforts caused one of the crucial ponds to dry up just as the larvae were developing. "This shows how fragile the balance between nature and development is," Chaubet noted. Despite this setback, conservationists are committed to ensuring the species' long-term survival, with plans for further habitat improvements and connectivity between ponds.

Firstly, it is an endangered species. Moreover, the success of the great crested newt shows that the ecosystem in Boortmeerbeeks Broek is improving.

— Julien ChaubetExplaining the importance of the newt's recovery for both the species and the local ecosystem.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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