Endangered Siberian Salamanders Perishing in Belichy Park: Syktyvkar Residents Seek Ways to Save a Unique Population

• 3 мая 20:16
• AnnaAnna

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Residents are sounding the alarm over a new wave of deaths among the endangered Siberian salamanders in Belichy Park. Witnesses discovered two crushed animals on a popular trail, one of them a female carrying eggs. At the peak of their migration to breeding grounds, the amphibians cross heavily trafficked paths, falling victim to pedestrians and cyclists in the evening twilight.

The salamanders are currently making their way en masse to water bodies to breed, and their main migration routes run directly through the well-maintained trails of Belichy Park. Locals admit that in the dark, these tiny creatures are simply invisible. As a result, footsteps and bicycle wheels continue to take a toll on this rare population.

According to scientists, the park is home to about 200 pairs of endangered Siberian salamanders—the largest population in the Komi Republic. Sergei Kochanov, a senior researcher at the Institute of Biology of the Komi Scientific Centre, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, emphasizes the exceptional value of this habitat and urges its preservation for future generations. Specialists have already identified the most dangerous intersections where the trails cross the amphibians' migration routes.

The Komiinform news agency has sent inquiries to the Syktyvkar City Administration and the Republican Ministry of Natural Resources. City officials have expressed their readiness to assist as soon as the ministry makes the relevant decisions. First and foremost, it is crucial to protect local water bodies and revise the park's tick treatment protocols, which currently pose a danger to amphibians.

Many residents have suggested installing informational signs asking people to watch their step. This simple measure could significantly reduce the mortality rate of these unique animals, preserving the park's natural wealth for all the people of Syktyvkar.