- An extraordinary moment occurred at the British Open on Saturday when an endangered toad caused a delay in the tournament.
- The natterjack toad, known for its rarity with only one or two colonies remaining in southeast England, disrupted the event with its presence.
- Remarkably, the mating calls of the natterjack toad are so powerful that they can be heard for miles.
During the British Open, an endangered toad made a surprise appearance on the golf green, causing a second delay in the tournament this week.
The intrusion of the natterjack toad resulted in a significant disruption as only one staff member was trained to handle this rare amphibian, as reported by CNN.
Golfers are used to animal interruptions on the course. Normally, they are allowed to move animals near their ball without penalty. However, due to the endangered status of the toad, it was against the rules to disturb or relocate it.
As stated in the UK Wildlife and Countryside Act, it is considered a crime to intentionally or recklessly disturb natterjack toads while they occupy a structure or place used for their shelter or protection, according to CNN.
While waiting for James Bledge, the only licensed individual authorized to handle the toad and the Links Manager at Royal Liverpool, the golfers patiently waited for the delicate removal of the toad from the green.
According to The Wildlife Trusts, natterjack toads are nocturnal creatures that breed in shallow pools on sand dunes, and their mating calls can be heard over miles.
With only one or two colonies remaining in southeast England, natterjack toads are classified as “extremely rare” by The Wildlife Trusts.
This incident involving the natterjack toad is not the first time the British Open experienced a delay this week. On Friday, there was a separate interruption when three activists from Just Stop Oil made their way onto the green before being apprehended and subsequently arrested by the police.
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