Kaiser Newt Project Archives

Conservation

Conservation:
It is considered critically endangered due to its tiny range (it inhabits an area of less than 10 km2), continuing habitat loss, and the illegal capture of salamanders for the wild animal trade. In 2008, the wild population was estimated at less than 1,000 individuals. However, a new survey in 2014 estimates a population of over 9,000 adults, and range estimate that could provide habitat for more than 40,000 Neurergus kaiseri.

The Luristan newt is a candidate for CITES listing. It also has a captive breeding program involving several European and North American zoos, such as Sedgwick County Zoo. Iran is planning on starting its own breeding program.

Habitat

Distribution and habitat:
Kaiser’s spotted newt is endemic to the southern Zagros Mountains in Iran. It is primarily found in highland streams surrounded by arid scrubland, but can also be found in ponds and pools. It is known only from four streams in a single catchment area and has a total area of occupation of under 10 km2 (3.9 sq mi). Water is absent from its habitat for a significant part of the year and it moves out into the surrounding woodland which is predominantly oak and pistachio, during which time this species is known to estivate.

My Kaiser Newt Project

Kaiser’s spotted newt (Neurergus kaiseri Schmidt, 1952), also known as the Luristan newt, is a species of very colourful salamander. They are endemic to the southern Zagros Mountains in Iran where they inhabit just four streams.

Populations of this newt have been declining and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated it as “vulnerable”. A captive breeding programme has been established in several zoos.

In 2017 I was offered several Kaiseri newts. I had never kept newts before, and was concerned when I read that there current conservation status is listed as Vulnerable (threatened). I was provided with Article 10 documents for each one I acquired, a total of twelve over a few months.

I have developed my interest in these colorful and fascinating newts as a challenge to see if I can go some way to assist the conservation of the species.

* It is not known how many times a year Kaiser newts breed.
* Breeding season Kaiser newts breed from March to April.
* Range number of offspring 45 to 60.
* Average time to independence 3.5 months.
* Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female) 2 to 4 years.
* Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male) 2 to 4 years.

Construction of a brand new enclosure is currently in progress. It will feature part terrestrial and part aquatic. It will also provide the latest state of the art lighting. I hope the first mating will take place in spring 2018.