In a bid to better understand the distribution and threats facing several highly threatened and endemic amphibians, the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Threatened Amphibian Program recently launched a project in the Western Cape, focusing on five of the most range-restricted frogs of the region. This work is being done in partnership with the Bionerds, supported by the Whitley … [Read more...]
Giant leap for SA amphibian conservation recognised
A conservation biologist from South Africa has won a prestigious Whitley Award worth £40,000 to support her quest to save threatened amphibians. Dr Jeanne Tarrant works for the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), where she manages the Threatened Amphibian Programme. The EWT is the only NGO in South Africa to include frogs as a conservation focus. The Whitley Awards, often … [Read more...]
Plans afoot to save critically endangered KZN frogs
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is working hard to protect the last remaining locations in which the Endangered Pickersgill’s Reed Frog (Hyperolius pickersgilli) are found. The EWT is pleased to announce the recent publication of the Biodiversity Management Plan for this proudly South African but highly threatened species. An important consequence of the implementation … [Read more...]
EWT aims to break world record for frog protection
Leap Day for Frogs is held annually towards the end of Feb to raise awareness around the plight of frogs. This year the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) are trying to break the Guinness World Record for the largest game of leapfrog globally. Let's take a leap of action and do something to appreciate and protect one of the most threatened group of animals on Earth: frogs! … [Read more...]
Critical water resources gobbled up by alien invasives
As South Africa continues to battle the drought which is further impacting on already scarce water supplies, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is implementing measures to conserve wetlands – a primary source of fresh water – and to prevent the loss of water resources to alien invasive plants. Since long before the era of the Egyptian Pharaohs, wetlands have supported the … [Read more...]
Ladies in conservation recognised this Women’s Month
What a month for our women in conservation. The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) consistently receives recognition for its outstanding conservation of species and ecosystems in southern Africa, through the research it conducts and the projects it implements to address threats to our most vulnerable species. This would not be possible without their women in conservation. This … [Read more...]
Help save our frogs this December
Frogs are the most threatened group of species on Earth. These creatures of popular folklore are teetering on the brink of extinction and unless we act NOW to save them, South Africa too will start losing species. Frogs are not just potential princely suitors. These water-loving amphibians are extremely important in our ecosystems by providing food to a wide array of other … [Read more...]
End is near for vulnerable SA species
Some experts say the world is heading for the "sixth extinction." Unlike the five separate mass extinctions millions of years ago, this one will be caused not by natural events, but by a single species: humans. To highlight the biodiversity crisis, the IUCN and London Zoo published a report identifying the 100 most threatened species on the planet. Four are found in SA. … [Read more...]
Ensuring the future of S.A.’s frogs
Across the globe, amphibian numbers have been in fast decline since first reported in 1990. Habitat change due to human population growth has been identified as the leading factor, but in pristine habitats population reductions are as a result of a number of factors including ultraviolet light, climate change and infectious diseases. The South African National Biodiversity … [Read more...]
Freddie the frog
The builders departed and the gardening of the small courtyard began. I wanted to bring the garden into the house, so to speak. All shade plants, big and small ferns in our small space but most of all a small bird- bath / pond. Within the year, all was growing well and a hadeda arrived. In our small space he looked like a dinosaur as he came and went during the day. He was a … [Read more...]
Listen for the painted reed frog’s whistle
A frog researcher at Stellenbosch University (SU) is calling on nature lovers in the Western Cape to help her with research on the occurrence and distribution of the painted reed frog in the Province by reporting when they hear the call of this little frog in their region. Ms Sarah Davies is studying the painted reed frog (Hyperolius marmoratus) for her doctoral studies in … [Read more...]
Let’s keep the toadlets alive
On the Cape Peninsula hundreds of tiny little endangered western leopard toadlets as small as a finger nail have started the beginning of their terrestrial life with an overwhelming 1 kilometer hike from the breeding ponds to our gardens. Please don't take them back to the pond!! Can you imagine hiking all the way up Table Mountain only for somebody to pick you up and take … [Read more...]
Watch out for the toad moon
The next full moon is the start of our resident endangered Western Leopard Toad's epic migration across the Western Cape's roads to their local breeding ponds! In Noordhoek a group of special folk, the ToadNUTS dedicate themselves to helping ensure a safe passage for the toads towards and back from their breeding places. Now they are counting the days to the big work … [Read more...]
