Double-digit temperatures since the beginning of February – the mild weather not only affects people and nature, but also animals. Amphibians, for example, are unusually beginning their migration to spawning waters early this year. There they reproduce or lay their larvae and eggs directly in the water. “The problem is that, unfortunately, they often have to cross busy streets,” said Anna Loupal from the Nature Conservation Association in an interview with Radio Vienna. This leads to high mortality rates among amphibians.
Protection through special buckets on the floor
To protect the animals, protective fences were built in appropriate locations in Vienna. They reach knee height and are mostly made of wood or plastic, Loupal explained. Additionally, additional buckets were buried near the road. “When the animals now walk towards the street, they bump into the fence and walk along it until they fall into these buckets.”
APA/dpa/Frank Rumpenhorst Amphibians are generally on their way to spawning grounds between February and May
The emptying of these buckets is carried out by volunteers who transport the frogs and other amphibians safely to the other side of the road. “Unfortunately, animals move at times and in climatic conditions that are very uncomfortable for people,” explained Loupal. According to the Association for Nature Conservation, there are many animals out there, especially when it rains and temperatures are slightly higher.
Many routes in Penzing
The majority of operating areas are located in Vienna in Penzing (Mauerbachstrasse, Schottenhof, Mooswiesengasse, Steinböckengasse). Volunteers are also being sought for Hernals (Hanslteich), Floridsdorf (Magdalenenhofteich) and Simmering (Simmeringer Haide).
Those interested can register for the desired route via the Association for Nature Conservation website. In a training consultation you learn what to pay attention to when rescuing amphibians, then the animal's rescue can begin. There are morning shifts from 7am and night shifts from 6pm.
Manual intercept for new routes
On routes where the extent of migratory activity is not yet known and buckets have not yet been set up, animals are sometimes intercepted manually. The route supervisors walked along the side of the road at dusk and collected animals that wanted to cross the road, according to the nature conservation association.
Another way to help animals is through permanent tunnel systems under the road. Although this would not require much human processing, it would be very expensive to purchase.