A police investigation has been launched after three ‘suspicious’ fires broke out in Sandford Heath and Great Ovens Hill nature reserve, near Wareham on the evening of Saturday, March 28.
Howard Inns, trustee of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation who own the nature reserve, said the fires were unusual for this time of year.
Howard said the site is home to all six species of reptiles in Britian, including the rare and protected species of smooth snake and sand lizard.
Heath fires usually break out across Dorset in the dry and hot summer months.
Due to the time of the year, Howard said the vegetation was still relatively damp meaning the fire did not cause a ‘deep burn’.
However, Howard added: “Even if they [reptiles] survived the fire under the vegetation, they are just emerging from hibernation so are still quite cold and they will not have energy to run away.
“They will hang around the blackened surface and be preyed upon by birds of prey.
“That always happens [after heath fires] but it’s worse at this time of year.”
He added that any surviving wildlife will be forced to re-locate after the fires, losing their landmarks and unable to find mates.
Howard said this will impact the upcoming breeding season, making it much harder for the animals.
“We will likely lose a whole generation,” said Howard.
In recent years, Howard said owners and managers of local heaths have been teaming up to protect the sites and increase collaboration.
He said the fires also destroy all the investment and time put in by organisations and volunteers to discover new findings in nature.
“It’s like trying to piece together an interesting tapestry that creates a diverse story,” said Howard.
“Every time you get a fire it’s like burning part of that tapestry.”
He added: “Sometimes we lose things in the fires and we do not even know what we have lost.”
Police are urging any witnesses to the fires, or any suspicious circumstances, to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police online or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55260044091. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online using its website or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
