Documentary to highlight the work of Joburg Zoo with Pickersgill’s reed frogs
SAXONWOLD – 400 frogs will air on 20 March at 6pm on People's Weather (DStv Ch180).
Community members can watch a documentary featuring Pickersgill’s reed frogs (bred at the Johannesburg Zoo) entitled 400 frogs on 20 March at 6pm.
The film documents the release of more than 400 endangered Pickersgill’s reed frogs into wetlands in KwaZulu-Natal.
The documentary follows amphibian and reptile scientist and curator at the Johannesburg Zoo, Ian du Plessis and others including Dr Jeanne Tarrant of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, as they release the captive-bred frogs into their natural environment. This moves the status of the frog from critically endangered to endangered.
Director and cameraman David Fisher described the tough filming conditions saying, “It was a film crew’s worst nightmare – rain, mud, bad visibility, tall reeds, unexpected spiders, insects and snakes. And it was hot with all of us sweating like crazy. But in the end, it was worth every struggle made by the conservation team and our crew, and this is an amazing tribute to those people who went all out to make the impossible happen.”
Du Plessis said the frogs which naturally occur in small pockets in KZN were threatened due to habitat loss because of industrialisation, pollution and expansion of housing in the KZN area.
Du Plessis added, “It has been through passionate and collaborative efforts of a number of determined people, organisations and with government’s support that these little amphibians are now only classified as endangered – bringing them one step closer to be able to survive naturally in the wild.”
Du Plessis explained that together with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, South African National Institute and Endangered Wildlife Trust, the zoo created an insurance population for the species before releasing the frogs back into their natural habitat.
The project has to date seen the release of 780 captive-bred frogs in KZN.
“It’s the largest, most successful amphibian conservation project in South Africa, and we are reaching out to assist other African zoos to start similar programmes.”
The documentary will air on 20 March at 6pm on People’s Weather (DStv channel 180).
Related articles:
Joburg Zoo helps save the endangered Pickersgill’s reed frog
Joburg Zoo releases 70 endangered Pickersgill’s reed frogs in KZN
