review of non-cites amphibia species that are known or likely to be ...

Information on keeping the species was available on the Austrian website
www.salamanderland.at.
A specialized Japanese online shop (in Japanese only) also included the species on its list
(http://www.geocities.co.jp/HeartLand/3108/herpetarium.html).
Interest in the species as a pet was apparent on some specialized websites (e.g.
www.caudata.org), where hobbyists posted questions and advice relating to the keeping
of the species in captivity. The forum title on this website relating to this genus reads
“Near and Middle Eastern Newts (Neurergus) – Arguably the most beautiful newts in
the world, this Asian genus is highly desired by many hobbyists”. Most of those already
in possession of the newt stress its shy behavior and delicate nature, advising it is not a
pet for beginners. Some report to have successfully bred it in captivity
(http://www.caudata.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=39).
TRAFFIC North America (2006) reported that:
“In December 2004, 50 specimens of Kaiser’s spotted newt were offered for sale via an
Internet web site. The seller was located in Canada but the specimens were offered to the
US market […] If they were from the wild, then these specimens would have accounted
for approximately five per cent of the known population – a devastating blow to the
survival of the species. The demand for this species in the international amphibian pet
trade is likely due to both its rarity and its attractive color pattern. As a result, the price
for one Kaiser’s spotted newt, up to CA $350 per specimen, is high compared to most
salamander species.
It was determined that two previous (smaller) shipments had been imported to Canada
from a dealer in Ukraine. Correspondence with this dealer in 2005 confirmed that they
import and sell wild-caught specimens of Kaiser’s spotted newts (among other species).
According to the dealer, in early 2005 they traded approximately 200 specimens and they
were expecting to have approximately 250 more available by January 2006.
Correspondence with the Iranian CITES Management Authority confirmed that trade in
N. kaiseri is regulated under the Iranian Game and Fish Law. The Iranian authorities also
confirmed that no permits have been issued for trade in this species in the past 10 years.
Thus recent international trade in wild-caught specimens of N. kaiseri is based on their
illegal export from Iran”.
CONSERVATION STATUS IN RANGE STATES
IRAN (ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF): N. kaiseri was listed as Critically Endangered, because “its
extent of occurrence is less than 100 km², its area of occupancy is less than 10 km², its
populations are severely fragmented, and there is a continuing decline in the extent and
quality of its habitat, as well as a decline in the number of mature individuals due to
overharvesting for the illegal pet trade” (IUCN et al., 2007).
N. kaiseri occurs within a restricted area of the southern Zagros Mountains, in the Lorestan
(most of the population) and Khuzestan Provinces, Iran. It is endemic to three streams, but
one of the populations has disappeared and it is now only known from two spring-fed
streams. It has an altitudinal range of 500 to 1,430m above sea level (Rastegar-Pouyani, 2003;
IUCN et al., 2007). The area that the species is known from is close to the Zagros Oak Forest
protected area (IUCN et al., 2007)
The species is “locally abundant to rare within its restricted range. The population is
estimated to number fewer than 1,000 mature individuals” (IUCN et al., 2007). The species’
status is critical (Rastegar-Pouyani, pers. comm., 2007).
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