Arran wildfire 'decimates' reptile population with hundreds dead

This article contains images that some readers may find distressing

A wildfire which raged for three days on the Isle of Arran has decimated the reptile population of a glen with hundreds of animals dead.

Emergency services were called to the grass fire at Glen Rosa on Thursday, April 10, with the fire raging for three days.

Three fire engines were sent to the scene of the blaze, which was affecting an area of grass measuring approximately 600m by 600m.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service crews, aided by a helicopter, dropped water over the affected area and eventually extinguished the fire.

The public were warned to avoid the footpaths into Glen Rosa, Goatfell and Glen Sannox. There were no reported casualties.

Images have shown the devastation caused by a wildfire, including a male adder killed in the fire. National Trust for Scotland

Fire crews had issued an “extreme risk” alert across the whole of Scotland after weeks of battling wildfires when the blaze took hold of grassland.

The National Trust for Scotland’s Arran Ranger Service shared images showing the scorched hills following the wildfire.

The Trust says the reptile population has been decimated at Glen Rosa, with 72 dead slow worms, 25 dead adders, 14 dead lizards, 21 dead frogs and a dead toad recorded.

A post on Facebook from Arran Ranger Service read: “It was a fairly grim day on Saturday when we had our annual visit from the Fife Amphibian & Reptile Group.

“For many years, they have come to Glen Rosa to monitor our adder and slow worm population.

“This year we were monitoring the dead. In total we found 72 dead slow worms and 25 dead adders, 14 dead lizards, 21 dead frogs and a dead toad.

Glasgow & West

Images show wildfire devastation but ‘Guardian of Glen’ and adder survive

The grass fire on Arran burned for three days.

“But these will just be the tip of the iceberg, as many others will be dead underground. The fire has decimated our reptile population.

“On the plus side, we did see one surviving slow worm and three adders, including a large female with a burnt tail. We hope she will survive and produce young in the coming years.

“One bizarre record, we found a live eel halfway up the slope of the Glen. All we can think of is that the helicopter may have scooped it up from either the sea or Moss end pond, and deposited it on the hill?

“We also collected a whole pile of glass bottles in the popular blue pools area, all of which could cause another fire in the future.

“Please help us look after Glen Rosa by taking your litter home, not lighting fires, and supporting our tree planting which will eventually reduce the impact of future fires as woodland can act as a natural fire break.”