By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Some South Africa homes have been invaded by Platannas, African clawed frogs.
Swimming pools in Cape Town were filled with frogs and when people emerged from their homes in the coastal area, it was them jumping to avoid the amphibians this time, All Africa reports.
Whale Coast Conservation’s scientist and environmental educator, Sheraine van Wyk, confirmed that the frogs are Platannas, “because the hind feet are fully webbed and the front feet are small. They are amphibious and must stay in water”.
Biodiversity conservation manager, Tarron Dry, also advised the residents in Hermanus, Gansbaai and Kleinmond 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 (most probably) be released,” said Dry.
At least 1,000 rescued platannas were captured and then released into the Onrus River.
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.
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