Parks Canada digging tunnels for salamanders

A small amphibian is getting its own tunnels through a national park in southwestern Alberta, ending the days when parks staff and local residents would scoop up salamanders to help them survive adeadly road crossing.

Parks Canada is spending $40,000 to build four tunnels through Waterton Lakes National Park in hopes of cutting down on long-toed salamander deaths.

The salamander tunnels, a first for Canada's national parks, are a miniature version of the underpasses used to help animals like bears and elk cross busy highways.

The long-toed salamander, which has a bright yellow stripe and an extra long fourth toe on its hind feet, is nocturnal and just 13 centimetres long and six grams in weight.

Hundreds of long-toed salamanders are killed while making the journey to and from their breeding ground at Waterton's Linnet Lake, said Cyndy Smith, a conservation biologist.

"To get there they have to cross the road, after they breed they go back across the road and then later in the summer, the young salamanders, they too migrate across the road. There are sort of three time periods where there are mortalities."

Smith says the tunnels will make a big difference.

"There have been times in the past when we've had parks staff out and some residents from town going out and trying to move the salamanders from one side of the road to the other. This would be a much better long-term solution."

The tunnels can be used by other small creatures, such as frogs and snakes, who will be guided into them by tiny fences.

Bruce Pauli, a board member with the Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network, said the tunnels will work.

"It's a great idea. A lot of the local population can be wiped out just by being run over. If the conditions are right they will naturally use those tunnels."

The tunnels will be built this fall. A study next spring will help determine if the salamanders are enjoying a safer journey.