Stuttgart (dpa / lsw) - Soon it will be croaking again at Baden-Württemberg's ponds - with the first signs of spring, the amphibians in the country will be active. After their hibernation, the animals migrate back to their spawning waters, as Sarah Christmann, project manager for amphibian protection at BUND Baden-Württemberg, says. This requires a soil temperature of six or more degrees for several days. More than 50 local groups of the nature conservation association are ready to help the animals in their migration over roads and canals. NABU groups are also active.
The volunteers rely on the proven method of installing fences on the streets and burying buckets. The amphibians then ran along the fence until they fell into a bucket. The helpers can then carry the animals safely across the street. "Many amphibian migration routes are cut up by roads," explained Christmann. The animals are therefore dependent on the help of volunteers.
Jumping and grass frogs start the hike. Common toads and newts follow. Finally, the fire salamanders make their way. In autumn, the animals migrated away from their waters because it gets too cold there in winter. That is why the amphibians sometimes dig themselves into the ground miles away or hide in piles of wood.
The nature conservation associations in Baden-Württemberg are calling on drivers to drive particularly carefully on roads with amphibian warning signs in the coming weeks. "Please drive especially in the dark, when it's damp outside and the temperatures are above five degrees again at night, especially considerately," appealed Christmann.
