Annual Road Closure Helps Save Jefferson Salamanders as GTA Population

Rahul Somvanshi

Burlington closes King Road for 28 days to help endangered Jefferson salamanders safely cross during their breeding migration - while motorists take detours, these rare amphibians get a fighting chance at survival.

Photo Source: USFWS Midwe (PDM 1.0)

These secretive creatures can live up to 30 years in the wild, yet face a staggering 90% population decline over just three generations due to habitat loss and road mortality.

Photo Source: Michael Nerrie (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Why do city officials nickname these endangered amphibians "Jeff" and "Sally" during their annual spring journey from forest burrows to breeding ponds?

Photo Source: John P Clare (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Every rainy spring night, the grey-brown salamanders with distinctive blue flecks emerge from underground to make their determined trek back to the exact ponds where they were born.

Photo Source: Peter Paplanus (CC BY 2.0)

Since 2012, the annual King Road closure represents a crucial partnership between the City of Burlington and Conservation Halton to protect one of Ontario's most vulnerable amphibian species.

Photo Source: John P Clare (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

The City truly values this partnership with Conservation Halton, as well as the ongoing support we receive from our residents and businesses," says Mayor Marianne Meed Ward about the road closure initiative.

Photo Source: John P Clare (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

What makes these amphibians so vulnerable during migration is their moist skin that's difficult to spot on wet roads at night - a deadly combination that leads to high mortality rates.

Photo Source: John P Clare (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

The Jefferson salamander serves as an indicator species - their presence signals healthy forest and wetland ecosystems throughout southern Ontario, making their protection vital for biodiversity.

Photo Source: James St. John (CC BY 2.0)

In York Region, similar conservation efforts involve intermittent overnight closures of Stouffville Road, protecting salamanders migrating near Oak Ridges Moraine habitats from March 24 to May 2.

Photo Source: Richard Mason (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Conservation professionals have tracked strong site fidelity in Jefferson salamanders, meaning these creatures will cross whatever obstacles - including busy roads - to return to their birth ponds year after year.

Photo Source: Petar Milošević ( CC BY-SA 4.0)

The penalties for harming these protected creatures are severe - under Ontario's Endangered Species Act, corporations found guilty can face fines up to $1 million for a first offense and $2 million for subsequent offenses.

Photo Source: Stephen Leonardi (Pexels)

Female Jefferson salamanders lay egg masses attached to underwater vegetation in vernal pools - temporary water bodies that dry up in summer - making their breeding success highly dependent on specific environmental conditions.

Photo Source: The Cosmonaut (CC BY-SA 2.5 CA)

Ontario has lost over 68% of wetlands in its southern regions since European settlement, making the protection of remaining amphibian habitats crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Photo Source: Yuri Meesen (Pexels)

As Burlington residents await the reopening of King Road on April 9, they can take pride knowing their temporary inconvenience helps an endangered species complete its ancient breeding cycle for another year.

Photo Source: James St. John (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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