Mission to help toads cross roads

Why did the toad cross the road? To get to the other side - but thousands don’t actually make it.

Step in the ‘toad patrollers’ who last year in Kent helped more than 11,000 of the amphibians, which otherwise might have been killed crossing busy routes.

Canterbury conservationist Amy Wright, a member of the Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group (KRAG), which runs the scheme with wildlife charity Froglife, leads the team alongside Kari Mcsherry and Cali Tardivel.

The group of volunteers scoop up any toads trying to cross and carry them in a bucket to the other side to help halt the decline of the species in the UK.

Former Chaucer School pupil Ms Mcsherry says in February and March, common toads typ- ically wake up from hibernation and start migrating to their breeding ponds.

“They have ancestral ponds which they return to, but often this means crossing busy roads just after dark, which is usually during rush hour,” she said.

“There are more cars on the road, their habitat is being fragmented, there are more roads cutting through woodland and so many of them end up being hit.

“We’re trying to get more vol- unteers to help us. It’s only for a couple of hours in the evening during early spring and it would make a huge difference to our toad population.

“It strengthens bonds within communities, warms hearts and really does make a huge difference for local biodiversity.

“Our main aim this year is also to encourage people to report toad sightings so that we can get more patrols on the map.”

The ecological assistant, who grew up in Canterbury and now lives in Ramsgate, says they are also pushing to get more protection for toads, which would mean developers having to take them into consideration when planning new building schemes.

“Toads are important. They eat pests like slugs and bugs and help provide good balance in the ecological system,” she added.

n To get involved or report toad sightings, email info@kentarg. org.