Burlington closes road for annual salamander migration

WATCH ABOVE: Sean Mallen explains why Burlington closes a road to let salamanders cross.

TORONTO – For the fourth consecutive year, the City of Burlington will be closing a stretch of road to allow the threatened Jefferson salamander safe passage during its annual spring migration to lay eggs.

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City officials have announced that King Road will be closed at the base of the Niagara Escarpment to Mountain Brow Road from March 25 to April 15.

The endangered species, which is protected provincially and nationally, is found in Southern Ontario in a few small pockets of deciduous forest.

According to Conservation Halton, Jefferson salamanders spend the winter underground and as the weather begins to warm up during spring time, they seek temporary ponds to lay their eggs.

By late summer, the larvae lose their gills, leave the pond and head into the surrounding forests.

Burlington is home to less than 200 Jefferson salamanders.