Cave salamander  (Proteus anguinus)

Species information

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Threats

The cave salamander is dependent on large aquatic cave systems. Tourism, economic changes and industrial pollution are the main threats to this species as the caves are affected by the land-use above. Its populations are also under pressure from collectors for the aquarist trade (3).

Conservation

This species is becoming increasingly rare and, as individuals are removed from natural populations by collectors or for research, their ability to recover is reduced (2). This species must be more strictly protected by law, and breeding programs established to enable its survival (2).

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
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