A company spent £5,000 to move a family of rare newts just 200 metres to a new home after they were found nesting in diesel tanks.The 25 endangered great crested newts had to be carefully removed from the underground overflow diesel tanks at a cost of £200 per newt.
International technology company Capgemini employed a licensed ecologist to supervise the move of the newts from their site in Aztec West, Bristol, a short distance to nearby Turners Pond.
Since their discovery in the overflow tanks, refuelling of vehicles at the site had to be stopped to avoid the risk of poisoning them.
Great crested newts are the largest species of newt in Britain and are protected by law.
Populations have fallen recently as a result of the destruction and fragmentation of their habitat.
Four children from St Michael's Primary School in Bristol were also on hand to help in the move and see the rare creatures.
Capgemini has now "newt proofed" their tanks with nets placed over access points. It is thought the newts used the tanks to hibernate but couldn't find their way back to the pond.
Jane Hudson, a vice-president at Capgemini, said the firm was based near a number of ponds from where the newts are thought to have strayed.
"We are delighted to be able to provide a secure future for these rare creatures and to allow local children the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the wildlife on their doorstep," she said. "Its not about the cost, its about conservation."
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