Western Leopard Toad tunnels in Cape Town are helping endangered amphibians cross safely beneath a busy road, with new research providing evidence that the infrastructure is being used, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The tunnels sit along Peninsula Road in the False Bay Nature Reserve, linking important breeding areas around Zeekoevlei and Rondevlei. Nature Connect installed the first two in 2021, followed by additional tunnels in 2023. The project aims to reduce deaths as toads cross roads during their winter breeding migration.
AI confirms Cape Town toad tunnels are working
Research from African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) master’s student Joshua Salako has now added evidence that the tunnels work. Salako used computer vision to analyse camera trap images recorded at tunnel entrances.
‘My research is an intersection between artificial intelligence and ecology,’ Salako said.
His models helped identify individual Western Leopard Toads across images from opposite ends of the tunnels. Preliminary findings matched at least 15 individuals successfully crossing through the underpasses.
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Nature Connect said the research is helping turn years of monitoring into measurable evidence of tunnel use. The project has generated more than one million camera trap images, making automated analysis essential.
The findings add another layer of scientific monitoring to Cape Town’s conservation efforts, showing how technology can help assess whether wildlife infrastructure delivers its intended purpose.
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Picture: Supplied
