Call for “amphibian-friendly” roads
12 Mar 10
In a bid to protect common toads from being killed by traffic during their spring migration, wildlife campaigners are calling for more “amphibian-friendly” roads.
This year, the volunteers for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (Arc) are hoping to save over 40,000 toads migrating to breeding ponds across the country.
The charity has also urged the authorities for more measures on roads to help protect the “toad tunnels”, wildlife bridges and lowered kerbs which the amphibians can climb.
Meanwhile, patrollers under Arc’s annual Toads on Roads campaign will head out on spring evenings, with torches and buckets, to help toads cross busy roads at designated crossings.
Lucy Benyon, Arc’s Toads on Roads co-ordinator, said: “These volunteer toad patrollers are incredibly committed and some volunteers have been out on spring nights saving toads for almost 25 years.
“This spring, we're keen to break the 40,000 toad-mark, partly as a symbolic gesture to show planners and highways authorities that this is a serious issue for wildlife conservation, and that this issue isn't going away without their taking notice.”
Common toads are becoming lesser in number in certain parts of the country. Every year they emerge from hibernation and head to the same ponds to breed.
However due to the cold weather and late spring, their migration has been delayed this year.
Copyright © Press Association 2010
http://www.arc-trust.org/ (Amphibian and Reptile Conservation)
This story has been viewed 112 times.