Invasion of the Adorable Toadlets!

It’s being called Toadfest 2015 as hundreds of little toads are taking over areas of British Columbia, and it is adorable.

The hot summer weather has led some toads to start migrating earlier than expected and they are popping up all over the place. Every year dime sized western toadlets descend upon Summit Lake Provincial Park near Nakusp attracting hundreds of people. This year’s public event will take place on Wednesday August 12^th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and will teach the public about the importance of the little frogs.

Photo Credit: BC Hydro

Like many other amphibians, western toads have been experiencing significant population declines throughout many parts of their historic range due to habitat loss, disease, pollution, and introduced predators. At Summit Lake, road mortality is a serious issue as the toadlets and adult toads move from between the lake to the upland habitat where they spend their life when not breeding.

Even though there are a couple of toad tunnels under the highway, and the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) has installed wildlife fencing to guide the toads into these tunnels, every year tens of thousands of western toadlets still get squashed on the road.

Photo Credit: BC Hydro

"Typically the toadlet migration lasts for about four to six weeks during the late summer," explained FWCP communications coordinator and event organizer, Angus Glass. "The toadlets were out in good numbers in 2013 and we estimate that we carried approximately 13,250 toadlets carried across the road, but the event is more about education and awareness."

Plan to attend this year’s 2015 Toadfest in Nakusp and learn all about Western Toads, and get up close to the aquatic insects, amphibians, and reptiles on display. There will be kids’ activities, and information on invasive plants, bears, and other local wildlife. Parking is limited. Please carpool. For more information, call 250-352-1300 or email fwcp@bchydro.com.