"But biodiversity is not just about glamorous species. Measures to protect the habitats of the otter and the Kerry slug have been announced by Minister for the Environment John Gormley.Two "species action plans" published by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NWPS) will help secure the future of the otter, one of the most threatened mammals in Ireland, and the unusual slug species found only in parts of southern Ireland and in Spain.Some 29 different protection measures are outlined in the new plan, including the provision of artificial breeding sites and the review of agri-environment schemes.Mr Gormley said the new plan recognises that "significant progress" has been made in recent years to eliminate water pollution from industrial and domestic sources and that progress is also under way within the agricultural and forestry sectors. "The otter is a rare animal across much of Europe, and while Ireland may still be considered as a stronghold for the species we cannot afford to sit on our laurels," he said.The same species was then found in northern Spain in 1868 and in northern Portugal in 1873.Unlike many other slug species, the Kerry slug is not a pest species and is associated with wild habitats away from the influence of man, according to the NPWS. THE Kerry slug gained some notoriety when it was discovered at Cascade Wood in Baile Bhúirne diverting the proposed bypass to a different route. 'Do you regret all the lying? Explore our guides to help you through the pandemicGardaí investigate after woman pushed into Royal Canal following alleged racial abuseCoronavirus: 200 new cases reported in largest daily total since MayInside the O’Brien Fine Foods factory in lockdown KildareChairman of Fáilte Ireland resigns after it emerged he is holidaying in ItalyFrequently asked questions about your digital subscriptionSpecially selected and available only to our subscribersCarefully curated selections of Irish Times writingSign up to get the stories you want delivered to your inbox Based on the habitats recorded during the ecological assessment of the wind farm, the following potentially suitable habitats have been identified:

The Kerry Slug, Geomalacus maculosus (Arionidae), which is restricted globally to Ireland and the ... (NPWS 2013), no current assessments are avail-able for the Portuguese populations, and its status in Spain is described as inadequate but improving (EIONET 2014). The Kerry Slug, Geomalacus maculosus (Arionidae), which is restricted globally to Ireland and the northern Iberian Peninsula, is protected under European law. available in JSTOR and the most recently published issue of a journal.

The slug is widespread in the Old Red Sandstone areas of the National Park and populations there are contiguous with those outside the National Park boundaries. While other slug species were found at the surveyed sites, G. maculosus was not discovered, suggesting that it is highly unlikely that this species arrived at its most northerly location without human intervention. Biology and Environment: Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy "The Kerry slug is not one of our most glamorous species," Mr Gormley said. Ireland, therefore, plays a pivotal

A survey (using hand searching and live trapping) at 42 sites (forests and associated habitats) lying between the newly discovered population to the north and existing populations in the south-west of Ireland was undertaken during October and November 2011. "The NPWS has previously published species action plans for the natterjack toad, the hare, the corncrake, Irish lady's tresses orchid and the pollan - a rare fish found only in Ireland. This paper investigates possible routes of introduction for the species and implications of its discovery in commercial conifer plantations. All Rights Reserved.