Currently, the Montseny newt is in danger of extinction and is one of the most endangered amphibian species in Europe, of which the only ex situ population outside Spain is housed at Chester Zoo.

Gerardo García and Adam Bland are specialists in vertebrates and inferior invertebrates from Chester Zoo. The aim of their visit was to coordinate the captive breeding protcolos and to detect problems with the water and its feeding.

During their first day, in Gerardo and Adam they visited the Wild Fauna Recovery Centre of Torreferrussa, which keeps the Montseny newts in the new hut built for this purpose. Biosecurity and management protocol for ex situ populations, breeding techniques and ways to progress towards health benefits and success with the newts expected to be released were discussed.

In addition to meeting with all the partners, this trip also allowed the Chester team to visit the Montseny Natural Park to learn where this protected species lives. Together with the project coordinator they visited the territory, highlighting the work of restoring the habitat in situ to protect the newt in its natural environment. The Life Tritó Montseny project is investing a great deal of effort in the conservation of the species in situ, studying the threats it faces.

On their last day, Gerardo and Adam went to the Barcelona Zoo to discuss the long-term future of the Life project, based on biodiversity conservation. In the new facilities dedicated to the Montseny newt, the herpetòlegs specialists of the Zoo are working and studying this endangered species.

There is constant contact between the specialists of the Chester Zoo and the Fauna centres of Torreferrussa and Pont de Suert. In parallel, work is being done on the captive breeding of the species, studying possible future reintroductions.