Plan to increase bullfrog breeding
Between 5 000 and 6 000 indigenous fish were placed in the Bullfrog Pan on February 13 in a hope to encourage breeding of the bullfrog.
The Impala branch of South African Hunters and Game Conservation Association (SAHGCA), which is situated in Kempton Park relocated and introduced the fish.
The fish that were introduced are African Mouth Breeders (Dwarf Tilapia) and Straight Fin Barb (Ghieliemientjie).
“The purpose of the conservation initiative is to help the African Bullfrog to breed,” said Loura Stegmann of the SAHGCA.
“The fish will serve as a food source for the bullfrogs as well as to alleviate predatory pressure from the bullfrog by also serving as a food source for birds feeding on bullfrogs.
“The reason for selecting to introduce the Southern Mouth Breeders and Straight Fin Barb are that these fish are indigenous and are also a threatened species in South Africa due to the introduction of Bass Fish in South Africa by anglers utilising this fish for sport fishing.”
Peter Glendining, the acting chairperson of the Bullfrog Pan Conservancy, said the introduction of fish may result in other problems.
“By introducing more fish, more predator birds might arrive which could lead to bullfrogs being attacked,” said Glendining.
He said the number of predator birds at the pan had increased “substantially” over the last two years.
Anne Mearns, who sits on the committee of the Gauteng Conservancy and Stewardship Association, described the introduction of fish as “wonderful”.
“I do not think it is a bad thing to add more fish,” said Mearns.
“The more birds coming to Benoni the better, because it enhances the status of the conservancy.”
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