With a size of about 5 centimeters and a discreet song, the yellow-bellied ringer (Bombina variegata) massively populated France a few decades ago.
It was very common in Normandy, especially in wet meadows and ponds in the valleys of the Eure, Iton and the Seine.
Over the years, this toad has disappeared at the same rate as its habitat by "the effects of pollution, intensive agriculture and urbanization", as explained by Mégane Skrzyniarz, amphibian-reptile officer at the Regional Union of CPIEs (URCPIE) of Normandy.
To date, only a few listed couples remain.
Six hundred eggs
Regulator and full member of biodiversity, it was in 2018 that URCPIE set up a scientific and technical committee for the protection of species and the reintroduction of a new population: “This was part of a program to renovate blue networks, ponds and agro-environmental and climatic measures (MAEC) set up by the Agglo Seine-Eure and the Water Agency.
Three sites have been identified, including the Vegetable Garden of Beaumesnil installed on around thirty hectares classified Natura 2000. Protective enclosures have been built, ”explains Mégane Skrzyniarz.
Since then, 20 breeding adults have laid 600 eggs for 163 young formed in terrariums, ie "a satisfactory survival rate to hope for regular repopulation".
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The study planned until 2023 aims at the growth of 1,250 tadpoles and the release of 250 toads on other sites.
But for the moment, as the young bell-ringer is not a migrant, it remains under the threat of the slightest pollution or modification of its habitat, therefore under the close supervision of naturalists.