This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2v8878j53o

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Wildlife team 'devastated' by Holt Heath fire animal deaths Wildlife team 'devastated' by Holt Heath fire animal deaths
(about 1 hour later)
"Heathlands are rarer on the planet than rainforests now," Paul Attwell said"Heathlands are rarer on the planet than rainforests now," Paul Attwell said
A group that has been searching the burnt remains of a heath fire for surviving animals has said it is "devastated" by the loss of wildlife.A group that has been searching the burnt remains of a heath fire for surviving animals has said it is "devastated" by the loss of wildlife.
The Dorset Heaths Partnership is made up of 10 organisations working together to protect and enhance the Dorset heathlands The Dorset Heaths Partnership is made up of 10 organisations working together to protect and enhance the Dorset heathlands.
Paul Attwell is the partnership's team manager and said the blaze, which started at Holt Heath near Wimborne in Dorset on Saturday morning, was "horrendous".Paul Attwell is the partnership's team manager and said the blaze, which started at Holt Heath near Wimborne in Dorset on Saturday morning, was "horrendous".
He said the team found more than 50 dead reptiles on Tuesday alone and one live adder snake, which was moved to safety.He said the team found more than 50 dead reptiles on Tuesday alone and one live adder snake, which was moved to safety.
"Heathlands are rarer on the planet than rainforests now," Paul Attwell said
"The reptiles wouldn't have been that active at the moment, they'd have been underground, that's just a very small number of what would have been there," Mr Attwell said."The reptiles wouldn't have been that active at the moment, they'd have been underground, that's just a very small number of what would have been there," Mr Attwell said.
"Everyone that works in my team are really dedicated to conservation and we're here to protect and help look after these things so actually seeing them dead is quite disturbing.""Everyone that works in my team are really dedicated to conservation and we're here to protect and help look after these things so actually seeing them dead is quite disturbing."
Dorset Heaths are home to all six native reptiles, the smooth snake, grass snake, adder, sand lizard, common lizard and slow worm. Dorset's heaths are home to all six native reptiles - the smooth snake, grass snake, adder, sand lizard, common lizard and slow worm.
The team did find one adder that was alive, and they were able to move it to a safe area of heathland.The team did find one adder that was alive, and they were able to move it to a safe area of heathland.
The fire, between Corfe Castle and Swanage, has destroyed an area about the size of 35 football pitches since it broke out, and was also believed to have been started deliberately.
Firefighters from across the country came to tackle the blaze after a major incident was declared.Firefighters from across the country came to tackle the blaze after a major incident was declared.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) said in an update at 10:30 BST, that "good progress" had been made overnight and crews were damping down hot spots.
Essex firefighters caught sight of a deer running across the burnt heathlandEssex firefighters caught sight of a deer running across the burnt heathland
"Heathlands are rarer on the planet than rainforests now," Mr Attwell said."Heathlands are rarer on the planet than rainforests now," Mr Attwell said.
He added that he was "saddened" to hear the fire might have been started deliberately, but determined to keep getting the message out, and educating the public about the importance of the local heathlands.He added that he was "saddened" to hear the fire might have been started deliberately, but determined to keep getting the message out, and educating the public about the importance of the local heathlands.
"Hopefully people will appreciate them and see how valuable they are and not set fire to them," he said."Hopefully people will appreciate them and see how valuable they are and not set fire to them," he said.
He also urged visitors who see a fire to call it in to the fire service and not to assume someone else already had. He also urged visitors who see a fire to call the fire service and not assume someone else already has.
You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.