Endangered frog discovered during clean-up

VOLUNTEERS cleaning up the solid waste in and along the Hilmer Street section of the Aller River on Coastal Clean-Up Day (16 September), were rewarded with the discovery of the Kloof frog, an endangered species.

Nick Evans, the well-known herpetologist said, up until now, they have had no records from the New Germany area for this species.

“They occur in a stream in Cowies Hill, which is the closest site to the coast in the Durban region. Certain parts of the Highway area are hot-spots for Kloof frogs, particularly in areas around Kloof (the frog is named after this area) and Gillitts.”

He said this is the first time this species has been discovered between these sites and Cowies Hill.

“This Aller River site is an interesting link, hinting that there could be other hidden localities in the New Germany area. Further survey work is required, but things are looking promising for this endangered species,” added Evans.

New Germany Nature Reserve manager, Nick Liebenberg and Nick Evans returned to the spot on the Aller River and discovered more Kloof frogs and their eggs, suggesting that this could be a viable population.

Evans said the Kloof frog’s biggest threat, much like all wildlife, is habitat destruction.

“Due to this, populations become fragmented, isolated or even wiped out. Every bit of remaining habitat, such as this site, needs to be conserved in order to conserve this species.

“Kloof frogs are habitat specific, making them even more vulnerable. They don’t occupy garden ponds or dams. They favour very slow-moving streams or swamp forests, with a closed-canopy overhead. They lay their egg-clumps on vegetation or rocks overhanging the water. They have a rather long breeding season, compared to most frogs. Egg-clumps can be seen from early September to early June,” he said.

On Saturday, 16 September, New Germany residents turned up in numbers to clean up the solid waste pollution along the Hilmer Street section of the Aller River. About 60 plastic waste collection bags were filled. The community was supported by Nick Liebenberg and members of his Parks Department staff, and by eco-champs from both Clermont and New Germany and team members of the Aller River Pilot Project.

Nick Swan, project manager of the Aller River Pilot Project, who made the Kloof frog discovery said he was busy putting refuse including plastic bags and used disposable nappies from the stream bed into the plastic waste collection bags, when suddenly this small, beautiful frog jumped onto his hand.

Later that day, Nick Evans confirmed the identification as a Kloof frog.

Swan said this can be taken as both auspicious and a plea for protection for these endangered animals.

“We are blessed to still have around us surviving remnants of our region’s amazingly rich biodiversity. Many who live and work in the catchment are not aware that we are in the middle of a global biodiversity hotspot, where there are both high biodiversity and endangered species. All the communities along the river need to accept responsibility for caring for the river’s health and life, both wild and human, present and future,” he said.

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