Kerbs will curb roadside wildlife deaths

A LOCAL bid to protect wildlife has received an award from national animal welfare charity PETA UK.

Routine maintenance work on drains showed critters like frogs, toads and newts were being decimated after becoming trapped in roadside gullies.

Where animals move in significant groups, for example during the breeding season or as they prepare to hibernate, road drains can prove to be a real hazard as once they fall through the grid, escape or survival for any length of time is unlikely.

A survey to establish how bad the problem is has been ongoing since 2010.

As a result of the findings, the council is now undertaking a trial in Blairgowrie, testing out the use of special wildlife kerbs, which contain a recess allowing animals to follow the lower edge of the kerb and avoid the danger from the drain.

PETA UK (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has presented the council with a Proggy Award for the initiative, and hopes that it will encourage other local authorities to consider taking up the scheme.

The Proggy — for “Progress” — Awards recognise companies, people, and products for innovative and animal-friendly achievements.

A spokesperson for PETA praised the local authority and said: “Perth and Kinross Council is setting a great example for others to follow and PETA is delighted to recognise the council for its compassionate initiative.”

Local councillor Bob Ellis said: “We want to help protect the local wildlife population and the kerbs we are using in the pilot scheme are designed to assist with that, by giving animals a safer route when they move en masse.”

Councillor Bob Ellis (left), countryside ranger Daniele Muir and senior roads engineer Willie Mahoney show off the award.