RARE captive-bred sand lizards, the most threatened of Britain's six reptiles, were released in Purbeck on Tuesday.

Bred at Marwell Zoo, they were given their freedom at Dorset Wildlife Trust's Coombe Heath reserve near Wool.

The sand lizard's heathland habitat has suffered massive loss due to urban development and changes in land use over recent years.

Listed on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, heathland is now benefiting from efforts to join up the remaining fragments of heath in the county.

The Herpetological Conservation Trust and Natural England have been working with the zoo to breed the lizards in conditions as close as possible to their natural heath or dune habitats.

With south-facing and predator-proof pens the pampered inhabitants of these homes from home have their insect food provided, eggs collected and artificially incubated.

The striking males have emerald green flanks during the mating season and they hibernate during winter.

Success rates are good and as part of an on-going programme, about 50 young lizards will be released each year.

"The site habitat at Coombe has been well managed by the Dorset Wildlife Trust and the Weld Estate and is now ideal for the sand lizard to be returned to the site," said Nick Moulton from HCT.

"This has every chance of success and will ensure that all six of the UK's native terrestrial reptiles are present again on Coombe."

  • DWT welcomes volunteers to help maintain and protect their habitat and can be contacted on 01305 264620.