I love sharing good news whenever I am inspired by something I have heard or read. I want to pass it on to inspire others. The arrival of spring signals breeding time for most species. Unfortunately for many, their lives are interrupted by human activity, putting an end to their chance at perpetuating their own kind. The melting snow and warmer temperatures awakens sleeping frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians. These amphibians require vernal ponds in order to feed and reproduce. The springtime wetlands, temporary ponds that form in late winter and early spring, and dry up over the summer, are imperative to the survival of these seldom seen species. Due to human encroachment and the building of roads that interfere with the annual journey of these animals to their breeding ponds, many are now facing extinction.
I remember when I was caring for swans in Virginia, driving in heavy spring downpours. Thousands of frogs were jumping across the road in an effort to reach the pond on the other side. I had to creep in my truck, as slowly as possible, to ensure that I did not run over them. I was happy to hear that recently, a stretch of road in London, England has been closed to traffic for a period of three weeks, in order to allow frogs to complete their migration. Volunteers are serving as “frog patrol” to divert drivers to an alternate route.
I believe that most people care about and want to help wildlife when they can. The problem is that too many people remain ignorant about the millions of other species we share this planet with. When they are educated about those species that they previously knew nothing about, they are then motivated to change that which needs changing. People say that they love animals, but all too frequently their concept of animals is limited to domesticated dogs and cats. Humans have contributed knowingly, and sometimes unknowingly, to the disappearance and peril of thousands of species. It is high time we recognize the error of our ways. All animals – birds, amphibians, insects, fish, and predators of every kind need our help now – if they are to survive. Just like automobiles are required to yield to pedestrians, we need to yield the right of way to them. It is only by helping Nature that we can help ourselves.
