Thousands of amphibians are killed on roads each year during spring migration, with toad tunnels and volunteer carrying schemes providing proven welfare and population conservation benefits.
Toads killed on roads during spring migration die from traumatic impact, crushing, or slow death from injury. The concentrated nature of amphibian migration — thousands of animals using the same route on the same nights each year — makes road crossing the single most predictable and preventable welfare harm facing these populations. Toad tunnels installed at key crossing sites eliminate the mortality risk entirely. Volunteer carrying schemes provide effective short-term protection where permanent structures are not yet installed. Both interventions are low-cost relative to the welfare and population benefits they provide.