Roads Pose Deadly Threat to Toads
As spring breeding season begins, toads in Warwickshire face a perilous journey to return to the same ponds where they hatched. Many of these breeding sites are dangerously close to roads, putting the amphibians at high risk of being run over. Unlike frogs, toads cannot leap, making it even harder for them to navigate traffic and climb kerbs safely.
Ladders and Volunteers to the Rescue
To help, the Warwickshire Amphibian and Reptile Team (WART) is installing specially designed toad ladders along kerbsides, preventing the animals from becoming trapped in drains or gullies. “They follow the kerb until they find a way out or fall into water-filled holes,” explained Ben Wood from WART. “A lot of roads have gullies with no escape for them.” WART collaborates with the national charity Froglife, which provides ladders to give the toads a safe path across busy roads.
Nighttime Patrols Save Amphibians
Volunteers patrol known crossing points at night, equipped with torches and hi-vis jackets, carefully carrying toads across roads and checking traps for any animals caught in drainage systems. Seven crossings have been officially identified, though Wood suspects many more remain unknown. These patrols play a crucial role in protecting local toad populations and ensuring they can reach their breeding ponds safely.
