Okay, here’s the processed and translated content:
**English Translation:**
Lately, goldfish have been abandoned in ponds in many places. Nature conservation organization RAVON warns of the damage that the fish can cause, for example, to the endangered crested newt.
The recent sightings mainly took place in ponds near walking routes, says Maarten Bruns to NU.nl. He is a researcher at RAVON (Reptiles Amphibians Fish Research Netherlands). This reinforces the suspicion that people left their goldfish there during the holiday period.
In previous years, more observations were also made in the run-up to the summer holidays. RAVON receives reports from both its own experts and affiliated volunteers.
Bruns understands that people who want to get rid of their goldfish do not want to kill the animals and therefore ‘release’ them. But the consequences can be great, he says. “A few goldfish can multiply into thousands within a few years.”
This affects the water quality and threatens animals that depend on the ponds, such as frogs, toads and salamanders. Goldfish eat the larvae and eggs of these animals. RAVON also writes about it on the news site Nature Today.
The largest salamander in the Netherlands is threatened
In particular, the crested newt is threatened by dumped goldfish, says Bruns. That salamander, the largest in our country, is on the Red List because the species is threatened. “They will avoid the ponds if they know that goldfish can be present,” he says. The ponds are important for the reproduction of the crested newt.
Anyone who still wants to get rid of their goldfish can enlist the help of other aquarium or pond owners, according to Bruns. Specialized fish shelters are also an option. A feeder is a solution for a short holiday.