SALEM, Mass., May 20 (UPI) -- Wildlife officials in Massachusetts are struggling with the rising problem of turtles crossing dangerous roads for a little sex.

The Boston Globe said Sunday that as turtles unsuccessfully attempt to cross roads in search of mates, wildlife experts are becoming more frustrated with the increasing numbers of the shelled reptiles expiring under the wheels of automobiles while on the way to procreation.

"They're just squashed," wildlife biologist Mark Grgurovic said of the unfortunate animals. "Most of them don't make it, they're just so banged-up."

One University of Massachusetts professor said it may be imperative to limit the number of turtles making the perilous journey.

"They're eating fish in ponds, salamanders, salamander eggs, frogs, frog eggs. Snapping turtles can eat ducklings. They're playing an important role in the food chain," assistant professor Paul Sievert said. "And if you remove that link, it's hard to predict whether things will go awry or not."

The Globe said among the proposed solutions for the problem are mapping out dangerous crossings and even digging specialized turtle tunnels.