The protection of biodiversity is often nourished by silent and nocturnal efforts, however capable of determining a colossal impact on local ecological balances. Precisely thanks to these, the migratory season of amphibians in the lower Verbano area ended with an extraordinary outcome, marking a turning point for the fauna of the Lombard Park of the Ticino Valley.
Thanks to the dedication of the members of the association Protection of amphibians lower Verbano odv (Verbano Amphibians) and the precious support of the Volunteer Ecological Guards (GEV), almost 8,000 toads were rescued during their delicate movements between the hilly woods and the aquatic reproduction areas. This operational exploit abruptly interrupts a negative trend that had lasted for seven consecutive years.
Census numbers and monitoring of endemic species
The field activity required constant monitoring, active every single evening from mid-February to mid-May 2026. The precise meteorological conditions, characterized by rainfall concentrated in the ideal period, stimulated the mass movement of the animals. In the municipality of Sesto Calende – in the province of Varese – 2,748 toads were counted heading to the breeding sites and 218 intercepted on the way back; in addition to these there are over one hundred red frogs, including the rare Lataste Frog, an endemic species of the Po Valley.
The peak was recorded in the nearby town of Golasecca, with 4,189 protected amphibians descending towards the river and 948 registered during the ascent. The constant road patrolling, carried out in synergy with the Regional Amphibian Experimental Station, has reduced mortality caused by vehicular traffic to a reassuring 5% of individuals in total.
Regional funds for safety and special slides at Panperduto
The excellent news on the census front coincides with a major infrastructure upgrade. The Councilor for the Environment Leonardo Balzarini has in fact announced that the City of Sesto Calende has been awarded a 15,000 euro loan from the Lombardy Region. The resources will be allocated to the purchase of new equipment, including protective barriers for the next season, and to strengthening road signs to enforce a slowdown in the most critical sections of Lentate.
At the same time, a task force from the Ticino Park intervened in Somma Lombardo, in the Panperduto area, installing special ski lifts along the towpath. This ingenious hydraulic and environmental work allows the small newborn toads to safely overcome a vertical wall that in the past constituted a death trap.
You might also be interested in:
