Toads on the Go

It’s getting to that time of year when Common Toads start to make their way back to their ancestral breeding ponds, often crossing busy roads.  Last year, Froglife helped to support amazing volunteers all over the UK who rescued a staggering 62,985 toads and helped them to safety.  Sadly, we know that at least 6,984 toads were killed last year – the actual number is likely to be much higher at crossing at sites where no one was there to help or count the toads that didn’t make it.


A beautiful toad, photographed by Oliver Kratz

Much more research and investment is needed to help prevent roads causing problems for local wildlife, and to prevent this national conservation and animal welfare tragedy.

There are a number of ways you can get involved in Toads on Roads and help out:

• Become a Toad Patroller.  Have a look at our map for your nearest Patrol site, or for a toad crossing that is in need of a Patrol to go out and help the toads.  Public Engagement Officer Sivi Sivanesan will put you in touch with your local Patrol and help get you signed up as a volunteer. Check the map for the name of your nearest Patrol, and drop Sivi an email: toads@froglife.org  
• Register a Toad Crossing.  Let us know if you spot large numbers of toads crossing in an unpatrolled area, or see a number of dead toads.  You can find more information on the requirements for a site to be registered and start the process at our website here.
• Watch out for the Toads on Roads signs.  These temporary signs are placed in areas where there are likely to be toads crossing on warm, wet evenings, as well as potentially people in the road helping collect toads in buckets and move them to safety.  Please slow down if you see one of these signs whilst driving, and keep an eye out for animals and volunteers.
• Support Toads on Roads.  You can donate to the Tuppence a Toad appeal – this fund helps us to continue to support the hard working volunteers on the ground and keep rescuing toads into the future.  You can find out more about Tuppence a Toad here, or make a donation here (add that it’s for the Tuppence a Toad fund in the notes when you donate).
• Send a Toad Card.  We have a pack of colourful toad greetings cards available in our online shop here.
• Spread the word.  The more people that are aware of the threats to toads, the road signs and what we can all do to help, the better.  

  

  Keep an eye out for the Toads on Roads sign

Thank you for all your support and good luck anyone going out on Toad Patrol.