UShaka Marine celebrates Leap Year

USHAKA Marine World is celebrating Leap Year with a hop and a twist in the uShaka Village Walk from Saturday, 27 to Monday, 29 February.

Although there are no promises of princes waiting in the wings for the kiss of true love, there are plenty of frogs waiting for you to love them.

UShaka Marine World is hosting the three-day event from 10am to 4pm outside Dangerous Creatures, situated in the uShaka Village Walk.

Their environmentalists are keen to share some interesting facts with people and advise on how they can protect frogs in their communities.

Publicist for Ushaka Marine World, Steven Brown, said, “We need frogs to control insects, like mosquitoes, around our homes. Their well-being reflects the health of the environment. If they are in trouble, so are we.

“In order to love frogs we need to care for their homes. Frogs are reliant on uncontaminated water as they absorb nutrients and chemicals from their environment through their skin.”

He said the incorrect use of insecticides and disposal of chemicals down urban drains and in your garden is harmful to frogs that absorb these chemicals through their porous skins.

“South Africa boasts 160 different species of frog. Half of all the frogs found in South Africa are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world. At least 23 South African frog species are threatened and need our urgent help,” added Brown.

The ‘Leaping for the Love of Frogs’ initiative at uShaka is now in its third year and since inception, over 8 000 visitors have committed to living their everyday lives mindful of the needs of frogs.

People who visit the Dangerous Creatures exhibit and promise to give frogs a jump start this leap year will receive a 50 percent discount on their entrance ticket for Friday, 26 Saturday, 27 and Sunday, 28 February only.

Contact uShaka Marine World on 031 328 8000.