South Park Drive in Tilden to close for 5 months to protect newts

"From Nov. 1 through March 31, South Park Drive will be closed to cars to protect Tilden Park's population of California newts as they migrate. File photo Why did the newt cross the road? In the case of those that live in the East Bay hills, it's so they can breed. And because the park district cares about its wild inhabitants, every year it closes the road in question to avoid the prospect of salamander carnage."

"From Nov. 1 through March 31, South Park Drive will be closed to all automotive traffic, and cyclists are asked to proceed slowly and keep an eye out for the little beady-eyed creatures, which usually run 5 to 6 inches long. Dogs should be kept away from the amphibians as California newts are poisonous to pets. Drivers can use the alternative routes of Grizzly Peak Boulevard, Wildcat Canyon Road and Central Park Drive during the five-month closure."

"The Park District has closed South Park Drive for the seasonal migration for over 25 years, allowing the newts to seek out the higher air moisture levels they favor for breeding. Although not an officially threatened species, the overall newt population has decreased over the past several decades primarily due to loss of habitat, according to the East Bay Regional Park District, which shared some insights into California newts."

South Park Drive will be closed to automotive traffic from Nov. 1 through March 31 to protect migrating California newts as they move to breed. Cyclists are asked to proceed slowly and watch for 5 to 6 inch newts, and dogs should be kept away because California newts are poisonous to pets. Alternative driving routes include Grizzly Peak Boulevard, Wildcat Canyon Road and Central Park Drive during the five-month closure. The Park District has implemented the seasonal closure for more than 25 years to allow newts access to higher moisture for breeding. Newt numbers have declined over decades mainly due to habitat loss. Two native species occur locally, with the California newt more common, and some individuals can travel up to 2.5 miles to return to home streams.

Read at www.berkeleyside.org