Thousands of the Common Platanna, the African clawed frog, were found scattered across the Onrus and Vermont neighbourhoods on Thursday, 10 February in the Overstrand Municipality in the Western Cape.
According to the Whale Coast Conservation’s scientist and environmental educator, Sheraine van Wyk, the frogs were identified to be Platannas because their hind feet are fully webbed and the front feet are small. Van Wyk said the frogs are amphibious and must stay in the water.
Biodiversity conservation manager Tarron Dry also mentioned that residents to keep the Platannas in big buckets filled with water.
“The buckets must be deep and have high sides in order for the frogs not to crawl out when volunteers carry them to the Vermont Salt Pan, where they will be released,” Dry said.
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In the meantime, the municipality has already released around 1 000 rescued Platannas at a site along Peterson Street on the banks of the Onrus River.
“Time is of the essence as the frogs need to go back to the pan before the sun comes out; those out of the water when the sun is coming out of the clouds will likely die,” the municipality said.
Liezl de Villiers, senior manager of the Overstrand Environmental Management Services (EMS) Department, thanked all the role players involved for assisting with the matter. De Villiers also thanked the young helpers and future herpetologists for their willingness to assist in catching and releasing the frogs.
The municipality further advised residents that needed the frogs to be removed homes to make contact with the Environmental Management Section of Overstrand Municipality on 028 316 3724 / 028 313 5619 with your street address or visit their offices on the corner of Molteno and Viljoen Streets in Onrus.
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Picture: Overstrand Municipality / Facebook