THOUSANDS of newts and toads have been moved to a new home in Wanstead to make way for work on the Olympics site.
More than 2,000 amphibians have been released in specially created ponds on Wanstead Flats while their original habitat - Pudding Mill River - is dredged and improved ahead of the 2012 Games.
The move also included the relocation of fish and birds from the former industrial waterway to the Waterworks Nature Reserve in Leyton, and is part of the Olympics Delivery Authority's efforts to protect the area's wildlife while the site is constructed.
Wanstead Flats is thought to have been chosen to host the newts and toads because of the suitability of its habitat and the presence of established colonies of both species in the area.
David Higgins, chief executive of the Olympics Delivery Authority said: "We have moved into the next phase of the project where activity on the park changes gear - the site is being cleaned up, demolition of existing buildings has accelerated and bridges are being built.
"A great deal of work is also being done to ensure that we minimise any disruption to existing habitats and protect the wildlife on the site during this period."
The City of London Corporation - which manages Wanstead Flats - has yet to comment.
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