Monkton, United States - May 29, 2025 Amphibian road deaths dropped by over 80 percent after two wildlife underpasses were built beneath a road in Monkton. Frogs, salamanders, and toads face major threats from habitat loss, climate change, and roads. Vehicles crush millions of them each year during spring migration. Now, a new long-term study shows that wildlife tunnels offer a simple, powerful solution. Researchers and citizen scientists monitored road deaths for over a decade. The team found a dramatic reduction in fatalities after underpasses were added. In treatment zones, overall amphibian deaths fell by 80.2 percent. For non-climbing species, the drop reached 94 percent. The study was led by ecologists from the University of Vermont and published in the Journal for Nature Conservation. Surveys covered twelve species, including spring peeper frogs and spotted salamanders. More than 5,200 amphibians were counted, with nearly half found dead before the tunnels were built. The project started after residents witnessed mass deaths in 2006. Their efforts, along with state agencies, led to the underpasses’ installation in 2015. The tunnels guide amphibians beneath the road during migration. Wildlife cameras showed over 2,000 animals using them in one season. Other animals such as bobcats, bears, and raccoons also used the tunnels, suggesting a wider benefit to the ecosystem. The study’s authors call on transportation planners to adopt similar measures nationwide. The project cost $342,397—far less than structures built for larger animals. Researchers hope this success story will inspire more communities to take action and protect vulnerable species.