Thousands of Newts from Becoming Roadkill — But “We Can’t Just Keep Going Out There Every Year and Picking Up the Newts for Three Months”.
Every year California newts (Taricha torosa) migrate across the Chileno Valley Road, from the woodland hills to Laguna Lake. Once they reach the water they find a mate and breed, with the most newts arriving between November and March. This is the deadliest time in a newt’s life.
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@truthseqr
Thanks, @biohexx1. I'm familiar with their work.
@merav, you might be interested in this article as well.
Hmmm... I wonder where they got their info from. The following statement is inaccurate:
"In one study of the 2020–2021 winter near Lexington Reservoir, in the Santa Cruz Mountains, scientists found that 14,000 newts tried to cross the road and 40 percent died—one of the largest rates of roadkill reported for any wildlife species in the world."
The truth is, approximately 5,000 newts are killed per migration season on Alma Bridge Rd. at Lexington. The 2020-2021 season saw 4,491 newts dead on the road.
@merav, it would be great if everyone studying newt roadkill could lobby together for a solution. Looks like the Chileno Valley Newt Brigade is seeking help from H. T. Harvey & Associates to do a population study.
Probably a reporter interpretation. But I agree, a more coordinated effort would probably bear fruit for both parties.
h.
I actually hate to think how many roads this is happening on.
There's also a huge problem on Vashon-Maury Island in Washington. Not only newts, but lots of birds. It must be a passageway for migrating birds. Really sad. It just breaks my heart to see so many dead animals.
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/vashon-maury-island-roadkill-project
P.S. @biohexx1, the first few letters of this post were chopped off ("ousands..." instead of "Thousands").
Fixed it! Thanks!
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