Anne van Poecke monitors great crested newts in Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide

From mid-March to May 2024, Anne van Poecke is doing an internship at Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide. Anne is a Master's student in Biology at the University of Antwerp, majoring in "Biodiversity: Conservation & Restoration". During this internship, she will monitor the population of crested newts in the Kalmthoutse Heide. Great crested newts are the largest native newts, they are characterised by a bright orange belly with black spots. Males have an impressive crest running down their back during the mating season.

Unfortunately, crested newts are an endangered species in the Netherlands and Belgium as they are very sensitive to changes in their habitat. It is therefore crucial to closely monitor this unique population in Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide. Anne will place traps several times in seven different ponds to estimate the population. This estimate can then be compared with the results of previous years to get an idea of how the population is doing. To make this estimate, photographs are taken of the abdominal pattern of the captured salamanders. This pattern is unique to each individual, just like our fingerprint is. These photos are then compared using artificial intelligence to distinguish captured salamanders from re-captured salamanders. This is necessary to make a representative estimate. In this way, the migration of recaptured individuals can also be identified. Anne will also make a habitat analysis and see if specific management measures are needed to optimise the conservation and protection of the crested newt population in the Kalmthoutse Heide.