ADDERS, Britain's only venomous species of snake, are apparently being stolen from sites in the Dean and the police are actively investigating.

Rob Ward, who writes the Review's wildlife column, says: "Recently a member of the public saw four men handling and 'removing' adders from New Fancy in the Forest of Dean.

"This is illegal as the adder is protected and in decline. I have been surveying this site for quite a few years and as the snakes are being removed it will have disastrous consequences for the adders in this area as their numbers have been dropping over the last five years (see Rob's previous reports).

"The four men left in a grey Toyota Landcruiser, registered to a property in Hardwicke, Gloucester."

Rob has been recording adders at Forest sites for years as part of the National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme

He says: "There does appear to be a growing market for these snakes. People are thinking that as the snakes are becoming endangered, if they don't get one now they never will."

"Now they are in decline it could be provoking people to want them on the black market to go with their personal collections

"If you have seen, or have heard about people handling or removing adders in the Forest of Dean, or if you see this vehicle please let us know."

Nigel Handley, a consultant for the Zoological Society of London and an expert on adders and the genetics of adders confirmed the rumours of adder removals.

"We're not sure why they're being taken but adders are protected and they don't make good pets. They are protected, they are poisonous and they will go on hunger strike, starving themselves to death. They're certainly not suitable for urban sites. Taking them at all is wrong."

Police Sergeant Simon Clemett, wildlife officer in the Forest said: "We received a call from the Forestry Commission on Friday reporting that four young men had been seen in a grey 4x4 vehicle picking up adders at New Fancy viewpoint.

 "We are concerned with this report and are actively investigating it. However, we are not aware of there having been any incidents like this previously in Gloucestershire and do not believe the theft of adders has been an issue in the county.

 "An officer is currently making follow up inquiries and seeking to speak to those who witnessed the incident. Adders are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence to kill, harm or injure them. It is also an offence to sell them or trade them in any way. 

"Anyone with information is urged to call Gloucestershire Police on 0845 090 1234 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident 197 of May 13."