'Toad Girl' mocked for saving thousands of amphibians trying to cross road
A young woman has been teased as "Toad Girl" in her community for saving thousands of amphibians trying to cross a road during mating season.
Hayley Watson, 30, loves the creatures so much she visits the rural road several times each week to collect the toads into a bucket as they try to move past cars to a pond.
Without her help, as many as 500 toads are thought to die each night in mating season at the spot in Hexham, Northumberland.
Hayley even alerted Northumberland County Council to the issue and, earlier this year, the authority put up temporary signage to warn drivers of the busy amphibians.
Hayley Watson has been teased as 'Toad Girl' in her community (Hayley Watson)Hayley told the Mirror she'll continue to save the animals. Toads typically breed from March throughout the spring and, at times, into the summer.
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Hayley, a managing director of a hotel and pub, said: "During the breeding season, as many as 500 can die every night. Of course, this is very upsetting and is originally why I wanted to help them.
"People started calling me 'Toad Girl' as a way of making fun of me helping the toads. Some of the locals thought it was weird of me to want to help them as they saw the deaths as natural and part of life.
"I don't mind them calling me that and instead played up on it. I wear frog T-shirts sometimes. I don't let people's words break me, I think it says a lot more about them than it does about me.
"I really love British amphibians and can't ignore the plight of the toads, which are helpless to the wheels of traffic. What used to be "common" aren't as widely seen anymore, and they need our help. As animals, I think they're cute, very docile with big eyes."
Hayley bandages some toads she notices are injured (Hayley Watson)
It is estimated some 500 toads are killed by cars each night on the road in mating season (Hayley Watson)But Hayley, who lives in Haydon Bridge, Northumberland, says the response to her project has been somewhat mixed.
She continued: "Of course, I have haters but lots of people have said lovely things too, and want to help in the summer when the babies emerge.
"I rescue usually about 200 toads and about 20 frogs every night when the breeding season is in full swing. I've lost count how many I've helped now."
Hayley, a manager of a bar and hotel, vows to carry on protecting wildlife (Hayley Watson)Hayley, also a singer and songwriter and an owner of several pets including rats and mice, even often encounters toads mating as she attempts to help them on the road.
"That is a normal occurrence during the breeding season. I just have to try to not disrupt them while I move them," the young woman added.
"I love all animals.
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"I am also passionate about axolotls, a Mexican amphibian a bit like a big newt. I rescue these after their popularity boomed and currently own more than 20 of them."
The Mirror approached Northumberland County Council for comment.
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