Leap Day for frogs in Mtunzini

THE Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is holding its second national awareness day for threatened amphibians tomorrow (Friday) at Tradewinds Country Inn in Mtunzini from 2pm till 3pm.

The day has been titled Leap Day for Frogs.

Thirty percent of South Africa’s 160 frog species are threatened, one of which is the Pickersgill’s Reed Frog which is only found on the KwaZulu-Natal coastline.

Leap Day for Frogs comprises a number of events, activities and opportunities for school pupils, homeowners and employees to take a leap of action to save our frogs. Frogs are threatened due to habitat destruction, increasing levels of pollution in freshwater systems, disease and changes in climate.

‘Frogs are also important bio-indicators due to their sensitive skins and because they inhabit both aquatic and terrestrial environments. In other words, if they are around, it means our environment is healthy.

‘The fact that one third of our frogs could potentially disappear is a warning sign that our natural environs are in jeopardy and that urgent conservation action is crucial,” said Dr Jeanne Tarrant, Programme Manager of the Threatened Amphibian Programme.

The good news is that unlike a number of other endangered species, which require global support and intervention, the protection and conservation of frogs is something that ordinary South Africans can play a meaningful and impactful role in.

“We need people living in Mtunzini to reduce their negative impact on amphibian habitats, as well as creating environments that are conducive to the survival of frogs. ‘This can be achieved by learning about the frogs that occur in the area, and taking part in citizen science initiatives of monitoring known sites for Pickersgill’s Reed Frog in the Mtunzini area,’ said Tarrant.

For more information about the EWT-TAP and Leap Day For Frogs visit www.leapdayforfrogs.org.za or contact Jeanne Tarrant on jeannet@ewt.org.za.