I don't know if it still occurs, but back in the 'swampy' the tree dwelling protester days, it was more than a one off for someone to create a legitimate reason to cross the land, and drop a newt out as they went...that sounds different to how I meant it, but I'm leaving it now.
Brilliant euphemism. "Are you ready to go?" "Give me 10 minutes, I just need to drop a newt out first"