Study: Cars are major threat to amphibians

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., April 19 (UPI) -- A study led by Purdue University biologists finds cars may be a large factor in the declining U.S. population of several types of amphibians.

Nearly 95 percent of animals found dead on the side of the road in the study were amphibians, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

Experts said they found more than 65 species of animals dead on an 11-mile stretch of road near West Lafayette, Ind. It is reported 75 percent of dead animals were found in the same 1-mile area along Lindberg Road over the Celery Bog wetland.

Purdue biologists Andrew DeWoody and Dave Glista reportedly found 142 dead eastern tiger salamanders.

"This could make a big difference for the population," DeWoody said.

Glista said the best way to fix the problem would be to avoid building roads over wetlands or at least construct an underpass for use by animals.