Early amphibian migration: Help needed – wien.ORF.at

High temperatures since the beginning of February – mild weather affects not only people and nature, but also animals. For example, amphibians begin their migration to spawning waters unusually early this year. There they breed or lay their larvae and eggs directly into the water. “The problem is that unfortunately they often have to cross busy streets,” Anna Lobal of the Nature Conservation Society said in an interview with Vienna Radio. This leads to high mortality rates among amphibians.

Protection through special buckets on the floor

In order to protect the animals, protective fences have been built at appropriate locations in Vienna. Lobal explained that these pieces reach knee height, and most of them are made of wood or plastic. In addition, additional buckets were buried in the ground near the road. “Now when the animals wander into the street, they hit the fence and walk along it until they fall into these buckets.”

These buckets are emptied by volunteers who bring the frogs and other amphibians safely across the road. “Unfortunately, animals sometimes move and in weather conditions that are somewhat uncomfortable for humans,” Lobal explained. According to the Nature Conservation Society, there are a lot of animals out there, especially when it rains and temperatures are a little higher.

Many roads in Penzing

Most of the operating areas in Vienna are located in Penzing (Mauerbachstrasse, Schottenhof, Mooswiesengasse, Steinböckengasse). Volunteers are also being sought in Hernals (Hanslteich), Floridsdorf (Magdalenenhofteich) and Simmering (Simmeringer Haide).

Those interested can register for the desired trail via the Nature Conservation Society website. At the training appointment, you will learn what to pay attention to when rescuing amphibians, and then animal rescue can begin. There are morning shifts from 7am and evening shifts from 6pm.

Manual interception of new routes

On roads where the extent of migratory activity is not yet known and buckets have not yet been prepared, animals are sometimes manually intercepted. Road supervisors will walk along the side of the road at dusk and pick up animals that want to cross the road, according to the Nature Conservation Society.

Another way animals can be helped is through permanent tunnel systems under the road. Although this would not require much human processing, it would be very expensive to purchase.