A newly published study suggests that small wildlife underpasses can significantly decrease the likelihood of amphibians being killed by vehicles.
The research was conducted along a stretch of road in Vermont identified as a key amphibian crossing site, where over 1,000 amphibians were reportedly run over in a two-night span in 2006. That tragedy ultimately spurred the construction of two 4-foot-wide tunnels beneath the road in 2015.
To assess the tunnels’ impact, University of Vermont researchers tracked amphibian death rates before and after their construction.
What they found was shocking: amphibian deaths fell by 80.2% overall and 94.3% for non-arboreal species in an area where the underpass had visible wing walls, which were angled and seemed to guide the amphibians toward the safety of the tunnels. Other animals were using the tunnels as well.
“This study provides strong evidence that wildlife underpasses work,” said Matthew Marcelino, the study’s lead author. “We hope this will encourage transportation departments to include them in future plans, when building or repairing roads.”
Due to their small size and slow movement, amphibians are at serious risk on roadways. Additionally, most of them need access to both wetlands and uplands to survive, but roads often divide these vital habitats.
Lady Freethinker is grateful to everyone who contributed to the construction of these lifesaving tunnels and the vital research that demonstrated their effectiveness. We encourage other communities to follow their example in preventing avoidable suffering and death.