Creatures in the wild. Paraphrased: Wildlife creatures are the subjects here. - Firefighters save fire salamander from deep-set lighting fixture.
In a woodland near Geislingen, part of Zollernalbkreis, firefighters managed to rescue more than 70 fire salamanders from a light shaft. The rescue took place on a Monday about a week ago and the firefighters had to deal with smooth concrete walls that made it difficult for them to crawl to the surface.
The shaft, where these animals were found, is housed in a water building. To rescue the salamanders, the fire department lowered a ladder into the shaft and used a rope and bucket to collect them by hand. The animals, which are known for their bright yellow spots, were carefully lifted from the bottom of the shaft and brought back to safety.
To record their identities, photographers took pictures of each salamander. This will allow for important information about the age and movement patterns of the salamanders to be gathered in the future as each salamander has a distinct yellow spot pattern.
Once photographed, the salamanders were set free in various spots near the rescue site. The district office reported that the shaft was temporarily covered for added security. The water supply group is working on finding a permanent solution to safeguard the shaft.
Fire salamanders may look like lizards, but they are actually part of the amphibian family that includes frogs, toads, and newts. Adult fire salamanders live mostly on land, but their young ones are water-bound and will eventually mature into land-dwellers. This means that they need to migrate to their spawning waters annually.
The fire salamanders found in this shaft were likely making their annual journey when they fell in. The area has a small hill close by, bordering a wall and the water supply house. The shaft's open spot seems to have attracted the salamanders and led to their unfortunate situation.
Reising, an amphibian expert and ecologist at the Nature Conservation Authority, explained that the cool and wet environment of the shaft created a micro-area suitable for the salamanders given the harsh surroundings. The diverse range of small animals like snails and insects at the shaft's bottom may also have played a role in their survival.
The large population of fire salamanders in Germany makes it essential to allow the animals to return to their natural habitat, ensuring reproduction and the continuation of their species. This is also crucial because Baden-Württemberg holds a significant part of their distribution in Germany.
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The fire department in Baden-Württemberg was called to assist with an emergency involving fire salamanders in Geislingen, located in the Zollernalb district. The salamanders were trapped in a deep concrete shaft within a water building. Due to the smooth walls, the rescue operation was challenging and required careful planning and execution. Despite the difficulties, the fire department successfully rescued over 70 fire salamanders, ensuring their survival. Once the animals were safe, local authorities and experts reminded the public to be mindful of wildlife habitats and animals during emergencies.
