Amphibian tunnels and toad patrols at road crossing points protect common toads and other amphibians from road mortality during spring migration, saving thousands of lives annually.
Individual toads killed or injured on roads experience acute traumatic suffering. Even where death is rapid, the scale of mortality at heavily used crossing points means thousands of animals die annually at single sites. Survivors of non-lethal collisions may sustain injuries that impair subsequent survival. Toad patrol schemes prevent this suffering directly by physically moving animals to safety. Permanent tunnel and drift fence systems offer round-the-clock protection without volunteer dependency. The welfare benefit of these interventions is direct and measurable in reduced mortality at monitored sites.