'Toad girl' recruits volunteers for Haltwhistle road patrols

A year on from her campaign for "toad crossing" road signs to warn motorists about travelling wildlife, Hayley Watson is no longer alone in her amphibian protection mission.

Multiple toad patrol teams have cropped up around the north east of England, with volunteers coming to meet Hayley and help collect as many toads from the roads as they can.

“They just have no chance unless people do a ‘toad patrol’ and help them cross,” explained Hayley.

With high-vis vest and bucket, the BBC followed a team of four toad patrollers on the country roads of Haltwhistle in Northumberland.

Dozens of the creatures were found. Most were successfully rescued but there were also casualties.

Video produced by Alex Challies.

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23 March 2024