MEET Budweiser - a banned North American bullfrog currently taking refuge in the Oceanarium after escaping the clutches of cats.

Named after the frogs from the famous lager advert, Budweiser was spotted being chased by a group of cats in a Winton resident's back garden.

Bullfrogs are currently banned in the UK because of their voracious appetites, which pose a serious threat to our native wildlife.

They can eat anything smaller than themselves including common frogs, birds, mice and other small rodents.

Robin Mulford, an aquarist at the Bournemouth Oceanarium, said: "It's important to always find out as much as you can about any animal that you'd like to keep as a pet, particularly its eventual size.

"Many people are unaware that bullfrogs can grow to 30cm long or that they can croak as loud as a dog's bark.

"Budweiser's had a lucky escape from the claws of several cats.

"He will now live in our climate-controlled reptile sanctuary area where he will spend most of his time submerged in the waterfall reservoir and will be fed a diet of locusts."

Jules Howard, wildlife information officer at Froglife, said: "Released bullfrogs pose a real threat to our native ecosystems with their ability to out-compete our native wildlife for food and habitats and their voracious appetite for our increasingly threatened common frogs.

"It's vital if you think you have seen or heard a bullfrog you contact Froglife."

Any further sightings of American bullfrogs should be reported to Froglife on 01733 558844 or info@froglife.org.

First published: Sept 6