Nuremberg toad friends: helpers to carry the animals wanted

Created: 02/20/2022, 10:00 am

Toads often cross roads on their migration to their summer habitat.

It takes people to get them across safely.

© Ján Krolák/dpa/symbol image

With the onset of spring, the amphibians migrate back into areas and also across roads.

The Toad Friends team in Nuremberg is looking for helpers to carry the animals over.

Nuremberg – With the first warmer days and rainy evenings in spring, amphibians such as common toads, common frogs, mountain newts and smooth newts begin their migration from their winter to their summer quarters.

The animals embark on a dangerous journey: In order to get from the forest to the spawning waters, they often have to cross busy roads.

Depending on the weather, the hike often begins as early as the end of February. 

Nuremberg association is looking for helpers to bring toads safely across the street

To protect the animals, the nature conservation watch, the environmental office of the city of Nuremberg* and citizens set up mobile toad fences at the roadside.

Helpers then bring the amphibians safely to the opposite side of the road so that they can continue their journey.

Additional volunteers are now being sought, as the city of Nuremberg writes in a press release.

Above all, the team of toad friends in the Brunn district is still urgently looking for helping hands to strengthen.

This is why toad saving is so important 

Toads, toads, newts and salamanders are amazing animals: as they grow up, they go through an impressive metamorphosis - from egg to larva to adult animal, they change their shape completely.

The problem for the animals is that their habitats - both on land and in the water - are decreasing.

According to

, floodplains and moors are becoming increasingly rare, and there are fewer and fewer spawning grounds.

It is all the more important to protect the animals. 

In Bavaria, around 700,000 amphibians are saved by volunteers every year, according to the Bund Naturschutz.

This has saved many amphibian populations from extinction.

A total of 19 different amphibian species are native to Bavaria: In addition to common species such as the common toad or the common frog, there are also rarer species such as the yellow-bellied toad or the bright blue moor frog.  

(By the way: Our Nuremberg newsletter regularly informs you about all the important stories from Middle Franconia and the Franconian metropolis. Register here.)

This is how you become a friend of toads 

Anyone interested in helping the toads with their migration can contact the toad friends at amphie9@t-online.de or the environmental agency at uwa3@stadt.nuernberg.de.

The current Corona* rules apply when rescuing toads. 

The only equipment the helpers need is a good flashlight and waterproof clothing.

The amphibians like to be out and about when it rains.

In addition, it is advisable that the helpers wear a safety vest so that they can be seen by passing cars.