On 13 March, 48 migrating toads were found in Holyrood Park and released into Dunsapie Loch to assist them on their journey.
On 17 March, several more toads were collected and released into the loch.
The toad migration is a feature of spring in Holyrood Park, as toads emerge from their winter hibernation and make their way to their breeding ground at Dunsapie Loch.
On the way, they risk falling into drains and becoming lost.
Holyrood Park’s Ranger Service Team assists the toad migration by collecting those that have lost their way and placing them into the water.
It has also installed ‘toad ladders’ in the drains, to stop them from becoming trapped.
During the toad migration period, the road is closed to vehicles.
In the past 30 years, the UK’s toad population has dropped by roughly two-thirds.
The measures taken in Holyrood Park serve to reduce fatalities and help conserve the toad population.
“Toad, legs spread” by nutmeg66 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.