It is common practice around the world to recruit volunteers to rescue amphibians near highways during the spring amphibian migration. Volunteers have been surveying identified critical points on highways for the third year in Latvia as well. The mission in one place can take place even for several weeks, during which, mostly in the evening after sunset, the determined section of the road must be surveyed and the amphibians must be helped to cross the life-threatening section of the road, as well as providing data on what was observed during the migration.
In addition to the places already known to the DAP, with the participation of the public, over a couple of years, several dozen more places of toad migration were identified in all regions that cross highways. Thus, volunteers could choose one of 50 critical points for rescue work this year.
At the end of the mission, the campaign “Mission – toad. Save the prince!” can be seen at the Riga National Zoo until May 26. exhibition. It reminds that everyone can participate in the mission, because the work is not difficult, but responsible. The information provided both at the exhibition and on the website “www.daba.gov.lv/lv/misija-krupis” will be useful to everyone, because the life of the toad is long, the migration routes do not change and it is clearly known that the already identified 50 sections of the road will require help next year as well.
Thousands of amphibians are run over on Latvian roads every year. Also in Latvia, amphibians have come to the attention of nature experts, because the success of the common toad’s survival is reduced year by year, not only by the disappearance of suitable habitats, but also by the obstacles directly created by man to their survival – highways.
The aim of the campaign is to reduce the number of toads killed on the roads with the active participation of the public, helping to transfer them safely across the road in the already identified road sections during active migration.
