Luxembourg’s annual toad migration has begun, with conservation groups warning motorists to be vigilant as amphibians cross roads throughout the Grand Duchy.
The Nature and Forest Agency (ANF) and nonprofit natur&ëmwelt report that recent wet weather and above-freezing temperatures have triggered the species’ reproductive movements.
The nocturnal migrations typically peak in March, with toads travelling from wooded areas to breeding ponds between late evening and early morning.
This natural phenomenon poses significant risks – research indicates that just ten cars per hour on a given road can kill 30% of crossing toads. The animals’ slow movement and tendency to travel in dense groups, particularly when males ride piggyback on females near breeding sites, heightens their vulnerability.
In order to better protect toads in the future, authorities plan to identify migration areas and implement protective measures including roadside barriers, underground tunnels, and temporary road closures.
Meanwhile, natur&ëmwelt urges drivers to reduce speed in areas with amphibian signage and report sightings (preferably with photos) to aid mapping efforts.
