News: February 2004

Some ponds in the far south of England have experienced much higher populations of leeches than normal for the time of year.

The ponds in question are in Wootton on the Isle of Wight. Normally, cold winter weather will kill the leeches, but the hitherto mild weather this year has left more than the usual number of the large leeches (some up to two inches long). The leeches are killing quantities of toads and frogs, much to the distress of the garden pond owners who are hoping for colder weather to kill the leeches off.

Echo reporter. 2004. Cold may halt leech invasion. Viewed on the web at http://www.thisishampshire.net/hampshire/archive/2004/01/31/IOW_NEWS_NEWS06ZM.html on February 2nd 2004.