If only the archaic video game chronicling the trials and tribulations of digital frogs crossing traffic infested streets had the help of safety-vest wearing flaggers; there would have been fewer squashed frogs by pixilated trucks and a much higher record score.
Much like the game, the western toad population faces a yearly challenge of crossing highway 6 in a migration from the Summit Lake to their habitat up the adjacent mountain.
The journey is perilous, as the indifferent motor vehicle traffic makes the crossing next to impossible for the tiny hoppers. Highway safety concerns as well as the noticeable drop in the toad population prompted the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program to step in and give nature a helping hand.
In cooperation with BC Parks, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, the Columbia Basin Trust, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and YRB, the yearly Toad Fest event has enjoyed outstanding success.
Communications Coordinator for Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program Angus Glass responded to this year’s relatively small population of toads as a result of the region’s hot, dry weather in July and August.
“The result was the tadpoles developing faster than normal,” Glass explains adding, “the main migration occurred a couple of weeks earlier that usual near the beginning of August.”
Despite the low toad numbers for participants to gather, Glass was enthusiastic about the turnout.
“It was great,” Glass commented, “There were sufficient toadlets for everyone to collect a few and carry them safely across the road. We had between 350 and 400 people over the two days.”
Toad Fest is an event designed to assist with the migration of toads as well as raise awareness about their natural history, habitat needs and challenges they face.
The annual event takes place around the end of August in line with the toads’ natural migration timeline.