From
bbcnews.co.uk
Taxpayers in Berlin have reacted angrily
after it emerged the city is spending thousands of euros
to prevent frogs from getting run over.
The cash-strapped capital is building a network of walls
and tunnels to protect frogs trying to cross a busy road.
The project is reportedly costing 430,000
euros ($474,200).
It comes at a time when the city is grappling
with debts of a 46bn euros and is trying to make savings
by closing public services, including swimming pools and
kindergartens.
Fifteen tunnels are being built to give
the frogs safe passage to a lake, wildlife protection officials
said.
A 650-metre (2,000 feet) wall is also under
construction in Pankow, east Berlin, to guide the frogs
towards the tunnels.
Guenther Brinker, head of Berlin's taxpayer
association, said: "I'm all for protecting animals,
but this really is a utopian scheme.
"It's a colossal waste of money."
