Flattened frogs and newts alarm B.C. conservation group
Dead Pacific treefrogs and rough-skinned newts found in high numbers, says Habitat Acquisition Trust
Hundreds of dead frogs and salamanders found squashed on roads in Victoria has prompted a conservation group to try and identify roadkill hot spots.
Habitat Acquisition Trust says amphibian road kills are expected each spring, when frogs and salamanders migrate from forests to wetlands to breed.
However, this year's mortality rate is alarming, with 84 tree frogs found dead on Prospect Lake Road during a survey one night, biologists say.
"The largest numbers that we've found so far are Pacific treefrogs and rough-skinned newts," said biologist Kristina Ovaska in an interview with All Points West.
"[Rough-skinned newts] think they're protected because of their poison, so they just expose their orange underbellies, which is totally ineffective against cars."
Ovaska says development has destroyed much of the amphibians' natural habitats, and she wants to identify areas where the road kills are happening.
While it's possible to put in fences to direct the frogs and newts to culverts, for now, it's best if people avoid driving on roads that are close to wetlands on wet nights, she said.
To hear the full interview with Kristina Ovaska, click on the audio labelled: Amphibian road kills alarm B.C. conservation group