Motorists Asked to Look Out for Migrating Frogs
The amphibian spring migration has started, with thousands of frogs that have survived the harsh winter now crossing highways to reach their spawning grounds, according to the Environmental Board.
Night-time temperatures staying above the freezing point, the daily minimum surpassing 10 degrees Celsius, and a high level of humidity make up the most favorable conditions for frog migration, Tõnu Talvi, conservation biologist at the board told ETV.
Even though regions where the amphibian migratory routes intersect with major highways have been mapped and warning signs limit the speed to 70 kph, drivers often still do not bother to slow down, ETV reported.
Currently frog migration is at its most intensive in southern Estonia but with the temperatures rising, it will soon be expected to become massive in the north. The sad part of it is that a dense layer of frog corpses has already formed on road sections near marshy areas in Ida-Viru County, as a large number of amphibians have been run over by motorists, frog researcher Riinu Rannap said.
All drivers are called to be extremely alert on highways to avoid slaughter, which in its turn attracts raccoons, foxes and birds of prey.
Ingrid Teesalu