Sand lizards given “fighting chance” on One Show

Millions of viewers learnt more about sand lizards and the UK’s disappearing heathlands, thanks to coverage on the One Show last night.

The show’s Miranda Krestovnikoff joined Amphibian and Reptile Conservation to learn more about the coordinated efforts throughout the summer to release 400 rare sand lizards back into the wild at sites across the England and Wales.

The show covered the captive breeding work taking place at Marwell Wildlife and Miranda joined Amphibian and Reptile Conservation’s Nick Moulton in releasing the lizards at Puddletown Forest, a heathland site managed by the Forestry Commission.

“We reckon the animals have got a superb fighting chance for the future,” summarised Nick Moulton.

The coordinated action forms part of a major ‘rescue operation’ to save the UK’s threatened reptiles and amphibians - frogs, toads, newts, snakes and lizards.

To see last night’s show: click here to view I-Player