Frog-Friendly Volunteers Help 17,210 Amphibians Cross the Road
Volunteers counted 17,210 frogs, toads and newts and helped them to migrate to their breeding grounds as part of a nationwide project completed last weekend.
The nature-preservation mission “Konnad teel(t)” (Roads With(out) Frogs) was carried out by 186 volunteers between April 18 and May 11, according to a statement from the Estonian Fund for Nature. The project involved five locations around Estonia.
Often stopped in their tracks by cars or obstacles, the amphibians required the assistance of the volunteers who had to stay up late - until 03:00 - when the migration conditions were ideal.
The heaviest frog traffic was recorded at the location in Harju County's Tammiku village, with 7,782 amphibians helped during the three weeks. Lake Võrtsjärv area volunteers aided 4,467 amphibians and those in the Kiisa municipality, also in Harju Country, another 3,664. The Nelijärv and Raudoja locations found fewer amphibians requiring help, 682 and 605, respectively.
The action was supported by Environmental Investment Center and was organized with the assistance of the Estonian Fund for Nature, the Road Administration, Environmental Board and the non-profit Põhjakonn. A similar volunteer action last year aided around 11,000 amphibians.