Brake for bullfrogs in love to cross safely
EACH year, hundreds of Giant Bullfrogs cross busy roads in an attempt to reach their breeding sites, putting themselves at great risk.
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is asking people to keep their eyes peeled while on the roads this rainy season and to brake for bullfrogs.
The Giant Bullfrog is the second-largest species of frog in the world and an iconic species in Gauteng, the stronghold of their distributional range in South Africa.
According to the EWT, the loss of grassland and pan habitat within this rapidly urbanising area is threatening the survival of the species.
This includes both the direct impact of roads, such as being killed by vehicles, and the indirect impact, such as being prevented from reaching breeding sites from over-wintering sites.
The Giant Bullfrog is also an explosive breeder, emerging from underground burrows where they spend much of the year for only a few weeks in summer.
As a follow-up to the campaign the organisation ran earlier in the year, requesting sightings information from the public, the EWT is continuing its work to help prevent roadkill of this iconic species by informing members of the public when and where the bullfrogs are likely to be active.
It’s expected that November to January will be their next period of activity, and the EWT is calling on members of the public to assist by being its watchdogs on the roads.
If you find a bullfrog on the road, dead or alive, please send a photograph, the location (preferably GPS co-ordinates) and the number of bullfrogs seen, to roads@ewt.org.za or submit via the EWT’s Road Watch app.
Visit the iTunes or Play store to download this app. More information is available on www.ewt.org.za. If you find an injured bullfrog, it can be saved by taking it to the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital 071 248 1514 – 24 hours/ jhbsmallwildlife@ gmail.com).
The reports will assist in identifying breeding sites and areas that require conservation action to reduce bullfrog roadkill.
Other plans to protect these creatures include modification of under-road culverts and encouraging bullfrogs to use them while crossing routes to their breeding sites.
Reducing incidences of roadkill of this species will help offset the threats facing these creatures and, given their high visibility and short breeding season, it will help their survival.