Rangers to curb drain fatalities

THE PERILS of roadside drainage is set to be the focus of a new project in Perth and Kinross.

Although they help prevent flooding, the gullies can also result in wildlife fatalities as small animals often become trapped.

As part of efforts to find out just how often this happens, countryside rangers have been carrying out surveys on roads across Perthshire for the last two years.

In 2010, they checked over 300 drainage systems and discovered that two thirds of these contained animals.

A total of 641 amphibians and 56 small mammals had fallen into the gullies and been unable to escape again.

The following year, the rangers were able to check twice the number of drains, uncovering more than 1000 creatures.

They also found that the majority of amphibians found last year were less than 500m from a breeding pond, suggesting that roadside drains could have a significant impact on their local populations.

The initiative was inspired by observations from Tayside Contracts maintenance staff carrying out routine drain maintenance.

They found “significant” numbers of trapped wildlife, particularly amphibians, had fallen through the drain grid.

It is thought that these incidents took place during the breeding season or in preparation for hibernation when animals tend to move en masse.

The survey will continue throughout the year, although the countryside rangers have successfully applied for funding to find a solution to the problem.

They have received £4800 from SITA for the purchase and installation of wildlife kerbs, which feature a recess that allows animals to follow the lower edge of the kerb, bypassing the danger presented by gullies.

Previous use of this system elsewhere in the UK has shown they can have a positive impact on wildlife population.

They will be introduced as part of a pilot project on Elm Drive in Blairgowrie, which is close to a pond already included in the survey.

This will allow the countryside rangers to make comparisons of the site prior to and after the new kerbs are installed so their success can be measured.

The countryside rangers’ survey has unveiled the shocking high number of small animals that are found trapped in Perthshire’s roadside drainage system.