I
Ian Cloke
Guest
AMOROUS toads have killed at least ?10,000 worth of fish after trying to engage them in a breeding orgy.
Thousands of toads tried to get friendly with carp in a lake at the Wykeham Estate, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, just before Easter.
The recent warm weather led the amorous amphibians to believe it was mating season and they moved into the shallow, warmer waters favoured by the fish.
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About a dozen common toads have been latching on to one fish, which drowns as it cannot move its gills, and sinks to the bottom of the lake.
Mike Heelis, lake manager at Wykeham Estate, described the incident as "unnatural" and "sickening" and said so far that about 2,000 dead carp had been recovered at an estimated cost of more than ?10,000.
"Walking around the lake with thousands of toads hopping about was like witnessing a biblical plague.
"The situation has started to ease, but at one point we had thousands of toads swimming about the lake in what can only be described as a breeding orgy."
Mr Heelis said another problem was caused by the rotting fish, which produce ammonia that kills other fish.
He said that during his 40 years of experience of looking after fish, he had never come across the problem.
The Environment Agency said while it was rare, it was not unheard of. Its staff visited the site but said the toads could not be moved as they are protected.
A spokesman said: "We gave advice to the owner, but this is part and parcel of us living with nature."
But Mr Heelis said the lake was his livelihood and he should be able to protect the fish. He said anglers would miss out as the lake would be under-fished this summer. He added that if the incident happened again, the lake may have to close.
"If this is a natural occurrence, obviously we cannot afford to lose that amount of fish every year.
"Potentially, it could close the lake. We cannot keep throwing money at something that is not working," he said.
Thousands of toads tried to get friendly with carp in a lake at the Wykeham Estate, near Pickering, North Yorkshire, just before Easter.
The recent warm weather led the amorous amphibians to believe it was mating season and they moved into the shallow, warmer waters favoured by the fish.
advertisement
About a dozen common toads have been latching on to one fish, which drowns as it cannot move its gills, and sinks to the bottom of the lake.
Mike Heelis, lake manager at Wykeham Estate, described the incident as "unnatural" and "sickening" and said so far that about 2,000 dead carp had been recovered at an estimated cost of more than ?10,000.
"Walking around the lake with thousands of toads hopping about was like witnessing a biblical plague.
"The situation has started to ease, but at one point we had thousands of toads swimming about the lake in what can only be described as a breeding orgy."
Mr Heelis said another problem was caused by the rotting fish, which produce ammonia that kills other fish.
He said that during his 40 years of experience of looking after fish, he had never come across the problem.
The Environment Agency said while it was rare, it was not unheard of. Its staff visited the site but said the toads could not be moved as they are protected.
A spokesman said: "We gave advice to the owner, but this is part and parcel of us living with nature."
But Mr Heelis said the lake was his livelihood and he should be able to protect the fish. He said anglers would miss out as the lake would be under-fished this summer. He added that if the incident happened again, the lake may have to close.
"If this is a natural occurrence, obviously we cannot afford to lose that amount of fish every year.
"Potentially, it could close the lake. We cannot keep throwing money at something that is not working," he said.
