Hasselt: (Brussels Morning) – The Nature and Forests Agency in Flanders urges visitors to stay on marked trails, keep dogs leashed, clean shoes and handle salamanders carefully to protect them from disturbance and disease.
The Nature and Forests Agency in Hasselt wants people visiting natural areas to be careful not to disturb the local salamanders. They ask visitors to stick to marked trails to protect the environment. Keeping dogs on a leash is important too as loose dogs can harm wildlife including vulnerable species like salamanders. The Nature and Forests Agency in Flanders says it’s important to clean your shoes after visiting nature reserves in Wallonia. They suggest washing or brushing your hiking shoes before going into Flemish nature areas. This helps prevent a harmful fungus from spreading to salamanders. Following these steps is crucial to keep salamander habitats safe and support conservation efforts in Flemish nature reserves. By doing this visitors can help protect wildlife and nature.
What are the proper ways to handle salamanders to prevent harming them or spreading diseases according to the Nature and Forests Agency in Flanders?
The Nature and Forests Agency in Flanders says it’s important to handle salamanders carefully to keep them safe and stop diseases from spreading. If you need to move a salamander they suggest using two plastic bags to protect it. This way you avoid touching the salamander directly and lower the chance of passing on any harmful stuff that could make it sick. The Nature and Forests Agency in Flanders says it’s super important not to touch salamanders with your bare hands. Human skin has oils, salts and germs that can hurt these delicate creatures. After using the plastic bag to handle a salamander it’s crucial to wash your hands really well with soap and water. Then use a sanitizer to disinfect your hands. These steps help keep the amphibians healthy and support efforts to protect their homes in nature.
How did the Bsal fungus spread from Asia to Europe and what actions is the Flanders government taking to prevent its further spread?
This fungus, Bsal is like a tiny fungus that attacks amphibians. It used to live in Asia with Asian salamanders without causing much harm. But because of trading amphibians internationally the fungus spread to other places. Fire salamanders hit by this fungus can almost disappear in a few months. The fungus can “eat” a sick fire salamander in just two weeks. In 2013 the fungus was first found in Eupen. Later in 2015 it was seen in Robertville and Liège. That year the disease was also spotted in two alpine newts in Duffel. No more infections or signs of the fungus were found in other newts during checks. There were no more deaths related to it. This discovery is seen as a mistake and Flanders seems safe for now. The government is working to keep it that way by taking the right precautions.
