Your report can help identify bullfrog breeding sites
KYALAMI – Have you seen a bullfrog? Report it before it is killed on the roadl. Read how here...
The Greater Kyalami Conservancy (Gekco) has a number of wetlands that traverse the landscape creating ecological corridors that connect the open space or patches of grassland in the area.
Speaking about bullfrogs in Kyalami, Tyrone Mckendry said, “The giant bullfrogs that exist in the conservancy depend on those wetlands and grasslands to survive. Unfortunately, the development of housing and roads create barriers for a range of wildlife including bullfrogs. The degradation of the grasslands and wetlands places, even more, pressure on these ecosystems.”
All these negative impacts mean that we as residents and visitors to the area must do what we can to help these amazing creatures to survive. Ensuring that the wetlands and grasslands are protected is key to the survival of these frogs and other wildlife, said Mckendry.
Another organisation, Endangered Wildlife Trust, is also asking you to keep your eyes peeled while on the roads this rainy season, and brake for bullfrogs.
Photo: Charmain Hart
In a statement, project executant: Wildlife & Roads Project, Wendy Collinson explained that the giant bullfrog is the second largest species of frog in the world, and an iconic species in Gauteng, which is the stronghold of their distributional range in South Africa.
Collinson said,”As a follow-up to the campaign the trust ran earlier in the year, requesting sightings information from the public, the EWT is continuing its work to help prevent roadkill of this species by informing members of the public when and where the bullfrogs are likely to be active.”
She added, “It is anticipated that November to January will be the next period of activity for the bullfrog and we are calling on members of the public to assist us by being our watchdogs on the roads. Other plans to protect these animals include modification of under-road culverts and encouraging the bullfrogs to make use of these passages as crossing routes to their breeding sites.”
Reducing incidences of roadkill of this species will contribute to alleviating the threats facing these animals, and given their high visibility and short breeding season, is a project that could have a high impact on their ongoing survival, said Collinson.
Details: If you find a bullfrog on the road, dead or alive, please send us a photograph, the location (preferably GPS coordinates) and road name, as well as the number of bullfrogs seen, to biodiversity@gekco.co.za and to roads@ewt.org.za or submit via EWT’s Road Watch app.
Visit the iTunes or Playstore to download this app. Your reports can assist in identifying breeding sites and areas that require potential conservation action to reduce bullfrog roadkill.
