BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE LEOPARD TOAD



BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE

WESTERN LEOPARD TOAD Amietophrynus pantherinus

Tony Rebelo1, John Measey2, Atherton de Villiers3, & Clifford Dorse4

with contributions from Julie Anderson, Joy Garman and Evanne Rothwell

1 South African National Biodiversity Institute: Threatened Species Research Unit,

2 South African National Biodiversity Institute: Molecular Ecology and Evolution

3 Cape Nature

4 City of Cape Town: Biodiversity Management Branch

Lead Agency: South African National Biodiversity Institute

Implementing Organizations: City of Cape Town: Biodiversity Management Branch

Environment Management Services

Parks and Forests

Roads and Stormwater

Table Mountain National Park

DEA&DP

DRAFT FOR COMMENT

Prepared for National Biodiversity Management Plan for Species as per NEMBA 2004

1.1 Table of Contents

1.1 Table of Contents x

1.2 Abbreviations, Acronyms and Glossary of Terms x

2 Executive summary x

3 Introduction. x

4 Background x

4.1: Conservation status and legislative context x

4.2: Species details x

4.3: Role players and planning methodology x

5 Aim of the plan x

6 Threats and problems identified x

7 Action Plan x

8 Monitoring x

9 Stakeholder consultation list x

10 Proof of Compliance x

11 References x

12 Appendixes x

1.2 Abbreviations, Acronyms and Glossary of Terms

1.2.1. Abbreviations

1.2.2. Acronyms

CapeNature Western Cape Nature Conservation

CoCT City of Cape Town

CoCT: BMB City of Cape Town: Biodiversity Management Branch

CoCT: EMS City of Cape Town: Environmental Management Services

DEADP Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning

DEAT Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

HR Ikapa Honorary Rangers

LUPO Land Use Planning Ordinance

SANBI South African National Biodiversity Institute

SANParks South African National Parks

TMF Table Mountain Fund

TMNP Table Mountain National Park

1.2.3. Glossary

Adult toads Breeding toads, specifically those that visit Breeding sites. This excludes toadlets and subadults. Generally any toad more than 85 mm long (males; snout to vent) and 95mm long (females).

Amplexus The mating embrace of male upon female employed by toads when mating.

Blackspot A road with a high number of toads crossing and killed annually (5 on any night per running km, or more than 20 per season per running km). These are usually adjacent Breeding sites.

Breeding sites Waterbodies (ponds, pools, rivers, canals, wetlands, dams, vleis) used by toads for mating, and in which eggs and tadpoles develop and toadlets remain until ready to disperse.

Foraging range That habitat used by toads during the non-breeding season. Generally any area within 2km radius of a known Breeding site.

Migration Movement of toads to and from Breeding sites. This involves toads moving to and leaving the Breeding sites during August and toadlets leaving water bodies during summer. All three of these movements are usually “explosive” and last only 1-3 days, but the actual dates, durations and intensity vary unpredictably between years and are determined mainly by climate.

Mortality threshold The number of deaths per kilometer of road per day per Breeding site population that exceeds acceptable limits. Until more research is undertaken this is arbitrarily set at 5% of the breeding population per year. Actual figures per road will depend on duration of migration, size of the Breeding site and foraging range of toads relative to roads. Smaller Breeding sites and phases where populations are declining may require more stringent thresholds.

Sub-adults Toads more than 30 mm and less than 85 mm long (snout to vent). Cf: adult and toadlets.

Tadpoles The juvenile, aquatic phase of toads, between eggs and toadlets Synonym: polywiggles, polywogs.

Toadlets Newly metamorphosed toads in their first migration away from breeding sites. Generally, any toad less than 30mm long (snout to vent). Cf: adult.

Toad-friendly barriers Any barrier (walls, fences, gates, electric fences, curbs, etc.) that allow toads in amplexus passage (arbitrarily set at a 100mm diam. gap at ground level) at least once every running 20m.

Toads Unless specified, any metamorphosed individual of the Western Leopard Toad, excluding eggs and tadpoles, but including toadlets.

2 Executive Summary.

3 Introduction.

▪ A succinct aims and objectives of the BMP-S;

▪ Timescales to be included;

▪ Biodiversity justification;

▪ Benefits of the plan;

▪ Briefly introduce the species and why it needs a BMP-S;

▪ Anticipated outcomes; and,

▪ Brief overview of the legal mandate.

4 Background.

4.1: Conservation status and legislative context:

1. Parties responsible for management and signing of MoU:

SANBI: Threatened Species Programme – monitoring

Responsible person (Monitoring): Domitilla Raimondo;

SANBI: Threatened Species Research Programme – Research and coordination;

Responsible person (Research): John Measey;

CoCT: Biodiversity Management Branch – coordination and monitoring;

Responsible person (Biodiversity Coordinator): Clifford Dorse;

Responsible person (Area Manager - South Area): Dalton Gibbs;

CoCT: City Parks – mowing: Verge maintenance;

Responsible person (Director City Parks): Christa la Roux ,

CoCT: Roads and Stormwater - dredging, curbs, road signage, road safety;

Responsible person (Road policy & maintenance): Duncan Daries,

Responsible person (Stormwater): Mogamat Kenny,

CoCT: Environmental Management Services – policy, planning and building plan approval, compliance; Responsible person (EMS): Joy Garmen/Andy Greenwood;

DEA&DP: Director: Anthony Barnes;

DEA&DP: Deputy Director (Region B2): Paul Hardcastle;

DEA&DP: Deputy Director (Region B1): Zaahir Toefy;

DEA&DP: Integrated Enviro Management: Tammy Christie – tchristie@.za;

DEA&DP: Spatial Planning: Melissa Naiker – mnaiker@.za;

DEA&DP: Deputy Director Biodiversity Management and Climate change:

Dennis Laidler – dlaidler@.za;

CapeNature: To sign MoU with DEA&DP

TMNP – monitoring and rescue coordination: Leighan Mossop;

Responsible person (Southern section): Justin Buchmann;

Responsible person (Central section): Leighan Mossop;

Responsible person (Tokai and Cecilia): Chris Botes;

Responsible person (Northern section): Xola ??.

2. Compliance with NEMBA principles;

Compliance with NEMA principles;

Including, inter alia:

➢ “(4)(a) Sustainable development requires the consideration of all relevant factors including the following:

(i) That the disturbance of ecosystems and loss of biological diversity are avoided, or, where they cannot be altogether avoided, are minimized and remedied;”

➢ “(4)(r) Sensitive, vulnerable, highly dynamic or stressed ecosystems, such as coastal shores, estuaries, wetlands, and similar systems require specific attention in management and planning procedures, especially where they are subject to significant human resource usage and development pressure.”

Compliance with NEMA EIA regulation:

➢ Activities requiring environmental authorisation:

GN No: R.386, Item (4) “The dredging, excavation, infilling, removal or moving of soil, sand or rock exceeding 5 cubic metres from a river, tidal lagoon, tidal river, lake, in-stream dam, floodplain or wetland.”

3. Context in National Biodiversity Framework;

The Leopard Toad is a flagship species for conservation in the Cape Town suburban environment and the urban edge. No other BMAP-S exist or are currently planned from the area.

4. Context in Bioregional plans;

Bioregional Plans are in the early process of development and it is possible that outcomes from the WLT BMP-species will be incorporated into this.

5. Context in any other plans issued in terms of NEMBA;

No other plans in the areas concerned have been issued or are planned in terms of NEMBA.

6. Context in IDP of City of Cape Town;

• Wetlands are a major focus area, and several nature reserves (Rondevlei, Seekoeivlei, Kenilworth, Raapenberg, Die Oog) and national parks (TMNP: Tokai, Noordhoek, Silvermine) as well as the Constantia Green Belt contain Breeding sites.

• Several Core Conservation areas (Kenilworth, Tokai, Rondevlei) are integral to conservation of the Western Leopard Toad, and corridors and green belts between these follow wetlands and rivers allowing for connectivity between these sites.

7. Context in international agreements;

None. This is a local endemic that is not traded, and as far as is known, not regularly kept as a pet.

8. Context in any other plans;

No other plans impinging on the Western Leopard Toad are known.

9. Status in terms of NEMBA, IUCN Red Data List, CITES, provincial ordinances;

• Because the Leopard Toad is not subject to a restricted activity it does not qualify for species protection under NEMBA.

• It does not qualify for ecosystem protection under NEMBA because most of its foraging habitat is urban areas. Although Cape Flats Sand Fynbos is listed as Critically Endangered under NEMBA, the natural remnants within the Western Leopard Toad’s range are already under conservation.

• It is listed as globally and regionally Endangered (B1ab(ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(ii,iii,iv,v)) in the IUCN Red List.

• As it is not traded it is not relevant to CITES.

• The species is legally protected under Schedule 2 of the Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974. What does this say?

• All new development applications triggering the listed activities (GN. No. R386 & R387 of 21 April 2006) in terms of NEMA (Act 107 of 1998) will be evaluated by the IEM components. LUPO applications on appeal and undelegated LUPO applications. DEA&DP also have a forward planning division which are involved in forward planning documents.

• Land Use Planning Ordinance, No. 15 of 1985

In terms of section 36, when Council assesses planning applications, regard must be given to the preservation of the natural environment.

In terms of section 42, Council may impose conditions of approval for planning applications.

10. If not NEMBA listed, why does the species qualify for “special conservation concern”?;

The species is listed as Endangered under the IUCN Red List classification. The nature of the threats (road kills; wetland destruction, and urban development) require national coordination, although implementation is by local and national conservation authorities, with extensive volunteer involvement and property owner support. As such it is an ideal flagship species for the conservation of many other threatened animal species and ecosystems.

11. Cultural conservation status;

None known.

12. Motivation for assigning priority for this BMP-S;

This flagship species effectively directly promotes the conservation of at least 5 other frog species, 1 mammal species (details below) and promotes eco-friendly gardening practices. Its reach extends beyond its immediate conservation, being ideal for fostering public awareness and continued involvement in conservation issues, from alien plants, eco-friendly urban management, and eco-friendly gardening. It thus spans the entire range from urban planning, road verge and green belt maintenance to the man in the garden, uniting them in awareness and connecting nature from the reserves into the urban gardens. As a potential Public Relationship exercise and urban conservation awareness campaign this project has no equal.

13. Any existing BMP-S for this species or related species, or for species that might be adversely impacted or affected by the management of this species.

There are no existing BMP-S for Western Leopard Toads or any other similar species in the region. As far as can be ascertained at present, no indigenous species will be adversely affected by actions involving Western Leopard Toads – in fact, the opposite is true.

4.2: Species Details:

Synopsis:

Western Leopard Toad Westelike Luiperdskurwepadda

Amietophrynus pantherinus

Also known as the August Frog (it breeds in August forming large aggregations in pools), Snoring Toad (the loud breeding call of the males) and Panther Toad.

Status: Endangered with extinction due to small area of distribution and small world locality, with fragmentation and loss of distribution, localities, habitat, habitat quality and populations.

Size: up to 140 mm long (snout to vent).

Description: A toad with warts and parotid (ear) glands. Chocolate brown patches on a bright yellow background, symmetrically paired, with a yellow stripe down the backbone. Parotid glands pink-brown to red. Undersurface granular and creamy. Males have a darker throat.

Similar species: Raucous Toad – the dark patch behind the eyes forms a bar across the head, no snout patches. Karoo Toad – asymmetrical patches on a tan background. Sand Toad – paired patches on the snout and behind eyes and no bright yellow background, but yellow upper feet. None of these three is a Red List species.

Call: A deep pulsed rolling snore. Calls restricted to breeding pools.

Range: Cape Flats of Cape Town from Observatory to Philippi and Noordhoek, Fish Hoek, Hout Bay. Also from Stanford to Buffeljarsvlei on the coastal flats.

Breeding: An “explosive” breeder: tens to thousands of frogs congregate on selected breeding sites for 1-2 weeks in July to September, usually August related to the first warm post-winter weather. Males form calling aggregations in deep pools – which attracts the females. Gelatinous strings of 10 000-25 000 eggs are laid.

Life cycle: Hatching occurs in 1-2 weeks. Tadpoles are bottom dwelling and feed on algae. Metamorphosis takes 10-12 weeks. In October to December thousands of 11 mm long toadlets leave the pools and disperse to feeding sites. Maturity is reached after 4-5 years.

Habitat: Breeding – pools and rivers with standing open water over 500mm deep and fringing vegetation. Non-breeding - dry sandy and loamy soils with Fynbos (or Strandveld) – now largely restricted to suburban gardens, resting in drains and compost heaps. Distribution limited to 5 km around breeding sites.

Threats: 1. Habitat loss due to urbanization. 2. Alien fish and infestation of aquatic weeds in breeding sites, and alien plants drying out catchments. 3. Obstacles to movement such as road gutters, boundary walls, large buildings, canals, storm water drains – that stop toads and toadlets moving to and from breeding pools. 4. Road mortality during breeding migrations.

Action for the public: 1. Join Toad rescue groups in August to count and help toads across obstacles (roads and canals). 2. Put up “Beware Frogs Crossing” on roads around breeding pools in August with Toad rescue groups. 3. Ensure garden walls have frog “gates” at ground level (100x100 mm) at least every 10 m (see Appendix 12.7 Building Plan requirements). 4. Place frog perches on swimming pools during the toadlet dispersal period. 5. Do not use pesticides (snail bait, insect poisons) in your garden if you can help it.

Action for authorities 1. Keep urban green belts - do not allow them to be mowed during the breeding periods and toadlet emigration periods (see Appendix 12.5 Mowing MoU). 2. Protect breeding pools from development, hard edging, pollution and alien invader plants. 3. Install toad safe storm water drains. 4. Aiding land owners with breeding sites with clearance of aliens and keeping areas alien free. 5. Safeguarding catchments for water in breeding sites.

1. Taxonomy, including subspecific and genetic information:

Originally described as Bufo pantherinus A. Smith in 1828, the genus Bufo was subdivided in 2006 (Frost et al, 2006) and the species assigned to the genus Amietophrynus (named for French herpetologist Amiet and the Greek for toad). For most of the 20th century it was regarded as an allopatric population of B. pardalis (Hewit, 1935), separated from the latter by a distance of about 300 km. Poynton and Lambiris (1998) resurrected the status of B. pantherinus as a full species on the basis of colouration, markings and morphological differences between the two populations, using the earliest published name.

Eick et al. (2001) found greater genetic divergence between A. pantherinus from the Western Cape and A. pardalis from the Eastern Cape than within either area, and agreed that B. pantherinus is specifically distinct from A. pardalis. However, Cunningham and Cherry (2000) found only 0.5% divergence between the species and asserted that the species represented distinct lineages.

While the advertisement call of A. pardalis (in the Eastern Cape) has been described (Passmore, 1977b), an adequate comparison of the calls of A. pardalis and A. pantherinus has not been published (Poynton and Lambiris, 1998). Thus the taxonomic status of the two populations needs to be fully resolved.

A. pantherinus females attain a snout-vent length of about 140 mm, the males being 15% smaller. The beautiful dorsal pattern of chocolate-brown patches with a bright yellow or black margin on a grey background, usually with a yellow vertebral stripe, distinguishes this species from the partially sympatric Raucous Toad A. rangeri that has generally dull brown dorsal markings, and Gutteral Toad A. angusticeps that, in this area, has a greyish dorsal surface covered in dark brown blotches, and yellow colouring on the upper surfaces of its feet. The ventrum of A. pantherinus is granular and cream coloured, with a darkish throat in males.

The advertisement call, a deep, pulsed snore, easily distinguishes A. pantherinus from all other sympatric toad species.

Common Names: Western Leopard Toad, August Frog, Cape Bullfrog, Leopard Toad, Panther Toad; Afrikaans: Westelike Luiperdskurwepadda;

Differences between adults of the

Western Leopard Toad and other Toads

Amietophrynus pardalis: It is very difficult to distinguish between these two species other than by their distribution. The Eastern Leopard Toad often has the dark bar between the eyes crossing the yellow vertebral line.

Amietophrynus gutturalis: The Guttural Toad has a red infusion on its legs, and pairs of dark markings on the snout creating a counterpoint pale cross. The deep, pulsed snore accelerates. It has been introduced into the Constantia area and is spreading.

Amietophrynus rangeri: The Raucous Toad has the dark markings between the eyes fused into a cross. It is an olive-grey toad with dark patches symmetrical across the back. The call is duck like, kwaa-kwaa, repeated continuously. It has been moved westwards by the nursery industry, but co-occurs with the Western Leopard Toad at Agulhas.

Differences between tadpoles of

Western Leopard Toad and commoner sympatric species

Tadpole identification requires a microscopic examination of the mouthparts.

Colour: WLT tadpoles are very dark (dark brown to black), other conspecific tadpoles tend to be brown or transparent. Shape: WLT tadpoles have a round body (when viewed from above), while others have tear-drop shape or triangular, Tail Length: WLT tadpoles have a very short tail, approximately 1.5 times the length of their bodies.

Toad tadpoles are generally small (less than 25mm long), bottom dwelling, with a broad gap in both the upper and lower oral papillae, a nostril diameter less than half the eye length, tail muscles paler below, and the fin ending in a rounded tip. The eggs are laid in strings.

Western Leopard Toad tadpoles are difficult to identify from other toad speceis. It differs from the Guttural Road which has dark pigmentation over most of the dorsal three quarters of the tail. It differs from the Raucous Toad which has the front of the tail paler on the underside. These differences are subtle.

2. Distribution, migratory patterns, habitat requirements, biology and ecology;

Distribution:

A. pantherinus is endemic to the winter-rainfall region of the Western Cape. It has a restricted distribution range that spans a distance of about 140 km, from the Cape Peninsula (3318CD, 3418AB) in the west, eastward to beyond Gansbaai in the Buffeljagsbaai area (3419DA). The species has a distinctly coastal distribution and is generally associated with low-lying areas within about 10 km of the sea. Its distribution correlates with large wetland areas, including rivers, and an annual rainfall of ≥600 mm.

Map 1: The distribution of the Western Leopard Toad in the Western Cape Province during 2003 based on the Frog Atlas records. Solid squares are recent Atlas records also containing museum specimens. Dots are museum specimens where toads were not recorded by atlassers. The shaded square is a new atlas record. Source: De Villiers 2003.

Map 2: The distribution of the Western Leopard Toad as currently understood. Update

The earliest distribution records of A. pantherinus were obtained from the Cape Peninsula and adjoining southwestern part of the Cape Flats (3318CD, 3418AB, BA). This area has also produced the most distribution records, including the following localities: Observatory, Valkenberg, Hout Bay, Noordhoek, Sun Valley, Fish Hoek, Clovelly, Kalk Bay, Kommetjie, Glencairn, Klaasjaagersberg (Cape of Good Hope section TMNP), Scarborough, Constantia, Bergvliet, Tokai, Diep River, Kirstenhof, Lakeside, Rondevlei, Zeekoevlei, Southfield, Ottery, Philippi, Strandfontein and some neighbouring areas.

Although Poynton (1964) recorded A. pantherinus occurring on the Cape Flats in grid cell 3318DC, no further records are known from this area. The mapping of this grid cell represents Poynton’s interpretation of South African Museum specimens from the “Cape Flats”. The species is more likely to have been recorded from the Cape Flats area immediately to the south, situated in grid cell 3418BA where there are known former and current localities. Anecdotal evidence from Faure in 2000 has not been verified.

In the coastal region to the southeast, A. pantherinus has been recorded from Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay (3418BD, last recorded in 1999), Kleinmond (3419AC, last recorded in 1978), Hermanus and Stanford (3419AD, last recorded in 1971 and currently known, respectively), Gansbaai, Baardskeerdersbos and Uilenkraalsmond (3419CB, all atlas records), Pearly Beach area (3419DA, atlas records), and the Ratel River/Rietfontein in the Agulhas National Park (confirmed NatConCorp 2009).

Anecdotal records (including some photographs) have been recorded from, Breede River Mouth, Swellendam, and Vermaaklikheid(De Villiers, pers records), but these have never been verified and are suspected of being other toad species or possibly Western Leopard Toads accidentally transported by vehicles.

In summary, the Western Leopard Toad has been recorded from eight quarter-degree grid cells. Since 1995, it has been found in six of these cells of which 3419CB represents a new record.

Habitat – foraging:

Map 2. The distribution of the Western Leopard Toad in Cape Town based on its foraging habitat (all known georeferenced records and sightings). Roads, contours and vegetation types on the background. The 1 km (mauve), 2 km (light green) and 5 km (green) surrounds to all sightings are shown.

The Western Leopard Toad is mainly associated with sandy coastal lowlands but, in places, can also be found in valleys and on the lower mountain slopes and hills near the coast. Most of its range is tied to Cape Flats and Hangklip Sand Fynbos and ecotonal areas to Cape Flats Strandveld.

A wide-ranging species that, although it seems to spend most of its time away from water, is usually found in the general vicinity of wetland habitats such as rivers, coastal lakes, vleis and pans. It is not known how far adults forage from breeding sites: ranges of 1-2km are accepted, but anecdotal evidence and other toads with similar breeding systems may range as far as 5km from breeding sites. Although unproven, it is widely believed that adults are highly site specific and return to their previous foraging sites and even sleeping holes each year (if so, it is the only toad known to exhibit such behaviour). Toads translocated from their foraging sites have been reported to return within a few days covering several km. Most movement and feeding is done at night.

Table: Vegetation types of foraging habitat and breeding ponds, ranked by 1 km areas.

|Vegetation type |Proportion of total area within |Proportion of total area within |

| |distance to known sightings |distance to 2010 breeding sites |

| |1 km |2 km |5 km |1 km |2 km |

|1 |Varsvlei |Pen. North |Uncertain |Current | |

|2 |Hout Bay/Disa River |Pen. West |10s |Current | |

|3 |Nooitgedacht |Pen. East |Uncertain 10s/100s/1000s/10000s |Current | |

|4 |Ottery: The Woods |Pen. East |Uncertain 10s/100s/1000s/10000s |Current | |

|5 |Clovelly Country Club |Pen. Fish Hoek |Uncertain 10s/100s/1000s/10000s |Current | |

|6 |Dassenberg |Pen. Fish Hoek |Uncertain 10s/100s/1000s/10000s |Current | |

|7 |De Goode hoop |Pen. Fish Hoek |Uncertain 10s/100s/1000s/10000s |Current | |

|8 |Hazelwood Park |Pen. Fish Hoek |100s |Current | |

|9 |Bergvliet |Pen. Main |100s |Current | |

|10 |Crest Way |Pen. Main |Uncertain 10s/100s/1000s/10000s |Current | |

|11 |Lakeside |Pen. Main |10s |Current | |

|12 |Louwsvlei |Pen. Main |Uncertain 10s/100s/1000s/10000s |Current | |

|13 |Raapekraal |Pen. Main |10s |Current | |

|14 |Rondevlei Bird Sanctuary |Pen. Main |10s |Current | |

|15 |Sandvlei |Pen. Main |100s |Current | |

|16 |Sandvlei Station |Pen. Main |100s |Current | |

|17 |Wessex |Pen. Main |Uncertain 10s/100s/1000s/10000s |Current | |

|18 |Kleinmond |Hangklip |Extinct |1978? | |

|19 |Pringle Bay |Hangklip |Extinct |1978? | |

|20 |Stanford |Stanford |10s |Current | |

|21 |Chris Carsten |Gansbaai |10s |Current | |

|22 |Grootbos |Gansbaai |10s |Current | |

|23 |Byeneskraans |Gansbaai |Uncertain 10s/100s/1000s/10000s |Current | |

|24 |Baardskeerdersbos |Gansbaai |100s |Current | |

| | | | | | |

| |ANY OTHERS | |10s | | |

| |Flower Valley |Overstrand | |Current | |

| |UPDATE 113 PONDS: 69 sites | | | | |

3. Threats;

There appears to be no obvious decline in the extent of occurrence of A pantherinus within the Cape Peninsula (despite assertions in the literature based on assumptions of wetland destruction), but east of False Bay certain populations appear to be in decline, with two recorded breeding populations extinct. However, urban development has resulted in permanent loss of habitat and the fragmentation of populations, especially on the Cape Peninsula and Cape Flats, although it is possible that gardens are more benign than the summer-arid Sand Fynbos. In other areas, habitat degradation has affected habitat quality and probably led to a decline in population numbers.

The IUCN Red List status of Endangered (Harrison et al. 2001) is based on an extent of occurrence of 1963 km2, an area of occupancy ?> |2 weeks collation |

| |temporary calming measures |Collation: SANBI | | |review effectiveness | |

| |during migration; |Summarizing: SANBI | | | | |

| |1.6 Traffic calming measures – | | | | | |

| |minor roads | | | | | |

|Numbers of toads moved |1.4 Speed restrictions and |Coordination: |Annually |No toads needed moving |Number of toads assisted |10% drop in toads moved; |

| |temporary calming measures |SANParks; NGOs | | |increasing or decreasing |2 weeks collation |

| |during migration; |Action: Volunteers | | |significantly; Reports on | |

| |1.6 Traffic calming measures – |Collation: SANBI | | |website within 2 weeks of | |

| |minor roads; |Summarizing: SANBI | | |migration | |

|Toadlet mortality incurred |2.1 Suitable dredging |Coordination: |Ad hoc following clearing |No toadlet mortality noted due |Monitoring triggered by |More than 5% of toadlet |

| |techniques are deployed |CoCT:BMB | |to wetland damage |non-compliance; |population destroyed by |

| | |Action: Volunteers | | |Proportion of population likely|inappropriate management |

| | |Collation: SANBI | | |to have been killed | |

| | |Summarizing: SANBI | | | | |

|Number of blackspots manned |1.7 Public Awareness and |Summarizing: SANBI |Annually |All breeding sites monitored |No breeding sites not monitored|100% monitored |

| |participation | | | | | |

|Number of blackspots with |1.7 Public Awareness and |Summarizing: SANBI |Annually |All breeding sites with |No breeding sites with |100% with coordinator |

|Coordinator |participation | | |coordinator |coordinator | |

|Number of volunteers active |1.4 Speed restrictions and |Coordination: |Annually |“Adequate” volunteers present |Number of volunteers at a |Minimum of 5 volunteers per |

| |temporary calming measures |SANParks; NGOs | |at all breeding sites |breeding site below threshold; |breeding site |

| |during migration; |Action: Volunteers | | |Volunteers inadequate >> | |

| |1.6 Traffic calming measures – |Collation: SANBI | | |request assistance | |

| |minor roads; |Summarizing: SANBI | | | | |

| |1.7 Public Awareness and | | | | | |

| |participation | | | | | |

|Number of metro police involved|1.4 Speed restrictions and |Coordination: |Annually |Metro police active at all |Metro police not active |Metro police active at top 5 |

|in programme |temporary calming measures |SANParks; NGOs | |major breeding sites | |most affected sites |

| |during migration; |Action: Volunteers | | | | |

| |1.6 Traffic calming measures – |Collation: SANBI | | | | |

| |minor roads |Summarizing: SANBI | | | | |

|Guidelines and MoU between |1.2 Meeting of conservation |Coordination: |Once off MoU, |MoU signed; |Compliance breach requiring |Any breach or apparent breach |

|departments regarding |departments with roads and |CoCT:BMB |To be reviewed every 5 years or|Cooperation between departments|additional meetings and |of compliance within MoU; |

|structures and public |parks departments of city and |Action: CoCT:BMB |when appropriate |satisfactory |revisiting MoU and checks and | |

|participation |province to determine common |Summarizing: | | |balances | |

| |ground |CoCT:BMB | | | | |

|An action plan to make |1.2 Meeting of conservation |Coordination: |One off |Action plan completed |Action plan initiated |Deadlines for actions exceeded |

|blackspots safe for toads in |departments with roads and |CoCT:BMB | | | | |

|terms of Traffic |parks departments of city and |Action: CoCT: roads and | | | | |

| |province to determine common |stormwater | | | | |

| |ground |Summarizing: | | | | |

| | |CoCT:BMB | | | | |

|An action plan to make |1.2 Meeting of conservation |Coordination: |One off |Action plan completed |Action plan initiated |Deadlines for actions exceeded |

|blackspots safe for toads in |departments with roads and |CoCT:BMB | | | | |

|terms of Mowing |parks departments of city and |Action: CoCT: parks and forests| | | | |

| |province to determine common |Summarizing: | | | | |

| |ground |CoCT:BMB | | | | |

|An action plan to make |1.2 Meeting of conservation |Coordination: |One off |Action plan completed |Action plan initiated |Deadlines for actions exceeded |

|blackspots safe for toads in |departments with roads and |CoCT:BMB | | | | |

|terms of Waterway management; |parks departments of city and |Action: CoCT: roads and | | | | |

| |province to determine common |stormwater | | | | |

| |ground |Summarizing: | | | | |

| | |CoCT:BMB | | | | |

|MoU between CoCT and road |1.5 Temporary Signage: |Coordination: |One off MoU; |Clear guidelines and procedures|Contact details up to date |Problems experienced with |

|authorities regarding temporary|legislation requirements and |CoCT:BMB |Annual updating of contact |available; | |signage and officials |

|signage |obtaining approval and |Action: CoCT: roads |details |Identified authorities with | | |

| |guidelines on what is allowed |Summarizing: | |contact details; | | |

| |and who can give authority to |CoCT:BMB | |to be posted on website | | |

| |implement |Compliance: Volunteers | | | | |

|Environmental officer on site |2.1 Suitable dredging |Coordination: |Annually |No transgressions or |Any transgressions |Officer not on site during any |

| |techniques are deployed |CoCT:BMB | |complaints. | |activities during July to |

| | |Action: Volunteers | | | |December. |

| | |Summarizing: CoCT:BMB | | | | |

|Reed growth |2.1 Suitable dredging |Coordination and Summarizing: |Ad hoc as is required |Open water closed up; |Reeds too dense to monitor toad|? |

| |techniques are deployed |CoCT: Parks and forests | | |breeding or toadlet populations| |

|Complaints of waterway |2.2 Suitable timing: No |Summarizing: |Annually |No complaints |Complaints get to point were |? |

|unkemptness; |dredging of any Breeding site |CoCT:roads and stormwater | | |Stormwater manager upset or | |

| |from July to December; |Compliance: CoCT:BMB | | |demands action >> consider | |

| | | | | |signage | |

|Dedicated Researcher(s) at |13. Research at SANBI |Summarizing: |Annually |All research issues resolved |At least 1 researcher until |? |

|SANBI | |SANBI: TSP | | |research programme ends | |

|Gardens with toads |4.2 Reconfiguring existing |Coordination: |Annual, for 10 years, then |80% of gardens within 1km of |50% of gardens within 1km of |50% of gardens within 1km of |

| |walls by either opting for a |CoCT:BMB |5-yearly intervals |breeding sites of toads |breeding sites with toads |breeding sites with toads |

| |palisade-type fence or |Action: Volunteers | | | | |

| |installing toad holes at 20m |Summarizing: | | | | |

| |intervals |CoCT:BMB | | | | |

|Dates of mowing |5.1 Timing: no mowing within a |Coordination: |Annually |No transgressions for a season |Any transgression to be |No transgressions should occur |

| |week of any migration within |CoCT:BMB | | |followed up with site visit and| |

| |1km radius of Breeding sites |Action: Contractors and CoCT: | | |review of MoU and contractors | |

| | |Parks and Forestry | | |contracts | |

| | |Summarizing: | | | | |

| | |CoCT:BMB | | | | |

|Opportunistic monitoring by |5.1 Severity of mowing: mowing |Coordination: |Annually |No transgressions for a season |Any transgression to be |No transgressions should occur |

|volunteers |during the breeding season and |CoCT:BMB | | |followed up with site visit and| |

| |until the high fire season |Action: Contractors and CoCT: | | |review of MoU and contractors | |

| |should be at least 100mm above |Parks and Forestry | | |contracts | |

| |ground level |Summarizing: | | | | |

| | |CoCT:BMB | | | | |

|Running km of stormwater system|6.1 All stormwater lines within|Coordination: |Annually initially for 10 |80% of stormwater running km |MoU signed; |? |

|that is toad compliant within |foraging areas should have a |CoCT:BMB |years, then every 5 years |are toad complaint |50% of stormwater running km | |

|foraging areas. |toad escape route at least |Action: | | |are toad complaint | |

| |every 200m. |CoCT: Roads and Stormwater | | | | |

| | |Summarizing: | | | | |

| | |CoCT:BMB | | | | |

9: Stakeholder consultation list.

The following participants attended the first meeting, and were appended to the address list.

|Name |Contact details |Affiliation |

|Tamara Allan |tallan@.za |NGO: WWF |

|Julie Anderson |julie@jproductions.co.za |Pub |

|Chris Barnes |tangwyn@ |Pub: Baardskeerdesbos |

|Lucas Chauke |chauke@ |SANBI |

|Mike Cherry |MIC@sun.ac.za |Univ. Stellenbosch |

|Susana Clusella Trullas |sct333@sun.ac.za |Univ. Stellenbosch |

|Ferozah Conrad |conrad@ |SANBI: Genetics |

|Ian Cranna | |CoCT: ? |

|Fahiema Daniels |Daniels@ |SANBI: TSRP |

|Atherton deVilliers |adevilliers@capenature.co.za |Cape Nature: Research |

|Craig Doonan |craig@leapcommunications.co.za |Pub |

|Cliff Dorse |Clifford.Dorse@.za |CoCT:BMB |

|Alison Faraday |ali.faraday@ |Pub |

|Jean Fillis |jeanfillis@polka.co.za |Pub |

|Grant Forbes |forbesgrant@ |Local Government |

|Joy Garman |Joy.Garman@.za |CoCT: ? |

|Aletta Groenwald |deuijlenes@xsinet.co.za |Pub: Baardskeerdesbos |

|Neel Groenwald |deuijlenes@xsinet.co.za |Pub: Baardskeerdesbos |

|James Harrison |hare@worldonline.co.za |Private Consultant |

|Una Hartley |jeanfillis@polka.co.za |Pub |

|Sue Harwood |jacksue@ct.stormnet.co.za |Pub |

|Candice Haskins |Candice.Haskins@.za |CoCT: ? |

|Sandra Hollerman |SandraH@ |SANParks: Fish Hoek |

|Philippa Huntly |Huntly@ |Wetlands forum |

|Kareemah Jacobs |kareemah@natureconservation.co.za |NGO: NCC |

|Gavin Lawson |glawson@xsinet.co.za |Zandvlei Trust |

|Louis Liebenberg |louis@cybertracker.co.za |Pub |

|Lindy Luger |luger@ |Die Oog |

|John Measey |measey@ |SANBI: Genetics |

|Carol Milan |froggie@polka.co.za |Pub |

|Leighan Mossop |leighanm@ |SANParks: Silvermine |

|Tessa Oliver |OliverTe@ |NGO: ? |

|Suvarna Parbhoo |parbhoo@ |SANBI: TSP |

|Maud Purves. |familypurves@xsinet.co.za |Pub |

|Tony Rebelo |rebelo@ |SANBI: TSRP |

|Terry & Evanne Rothwell |terry@marques.co.za |Pub |

|Rory Sales |rory@risingtide.co.za |Pub |

|Kathi Sales |kathi@risingtide.co.za |Noordhoek conservancy |

|Rudi Siegenthaler |rsigi7@ |Ikapa Honorary Rangers |

|Sue Smith |pointer@intermail.co.za> |Ikapa Honorary Rangers |

|Maya Stauch |mayas@goldcircle.co.za |CoCT:BMB |

|Krystal Tolley |tolley@ |SANBI: Genetics |

|Suretha van Rooyen |suvrooye@.za |DeadP: ? |

The following participants expressed an interest but did not attend the first meeting, and were appended to the address list.

|Name |Contact details |Affiliation |

|Phoebe Barnard |barnard@ |SANBI: Climate |

|Cilla Bromley |cilla@bromley.co.za |Glenvlei caretaker |

|Marius Burger |sungazer@ |Univ. Cape Town |

|Alan Channing |achanning@uwc.ac.za |Univ. Western Cape |

|Marienne De Villiers |Marienne.DeVilliers@uct.ac.za |Univ. Cape Town |

|Charle De Villiers |Devilliersc@.za |NGO: Botanical Society |

|Keshni Gopal |gopal@ |SANBI: |

|Chris & Lin Howland |chrislin@absamail.co.za |Pub |

|Onno Huyser |ohuyser@.za |NGO: TMF |

|Suzie Jiracharonkul |suzie@wangthai.co.za |Pub |

|Jeremy Keyser |jeremy.keyser@envirosolutions.co.za |NGO: Planning in Balance |

|Julian le Roux |juler@ |Pub |

|Vivien le Roux |juler@ |Pub |

|Helen Lockhart |hlockhart@aquarium.co.za |Two Oceans Aquarium |

|Jean Nixon |jnixon@global.co.za |Pub |

|Yvonne Reynolds |reynolds@ |SANBI: Library |

|Caryl Richmond |richmoc@lancet.co.za |Pub |

|Lucia Rodrigues |signet@mweb.co.za |NGO: ? |

|Cassy Sheasby |Cassandra.Sheasby@.za |CoCT: ? |

|Leon Styn |lstyn@.za |Overstrand government |

|Andre Upton |Andre.Upton@.za |Pub |

|PJ van der Walt |pj@riverlodge.co.za |Pub |

|Walter Williams | |CoCT: ? |

|Marcel Witberg |witbergm@absamail.co.za> |Pub |

|Harry |harry@steenberggolfclub.co.za |Steenberg Golf Club |

| |jmanuel@.za |DeadP: ? |

| | phardcas@.za |DeadP: ? |

| |ztoefy@.za |DeadP: ? |

The following parties were identified as interested and affected stakeholders but did not attend the first meeting.

|Name |Contact details |Affiliation |

| | | |

|Christa Le Roux |Christa.leroux@.za Tel: 021 400 4304 |CoCT: Director, City Parks |

|Duncan Daries |Duncan.daries @.za |CoCT: Manager Operations and assets. Roads & Stormwater. |

|Mogamat Kenny |Mogamat.kenny@.za Tel: 021 4002264 |CoCT: Manager Operational support (Stormwater). Roads & |

| | |Stormwater. |

|Anthony Barnes: |Anbarnes@.za |DEA&DP: Director |

|Paul Hardcastle |Phardcas@.za |DEA&DP: Deputy Director (Region B2) |

|Zaahir Toefy |Ztoefy@.za |DEA&DP: Deputy Director (Region B1) |

|Ruth Massey |Rmassey@.za |DEA&DP: Forward Planning |

|Suretha van Rooyen |Suvrooye@.za |DEA&DP: Integrated Environmental Management |

The following steering committee was constituted to take the matter further.

|Name |Contact details |Affiliation |

|Clifford Dorse (chair) | | |

|Julie Anderson | | |

|Atherton De Villiers | | |

|Joy Garman | | |

|Kareemah Jacobs | | |

|John Measey | | |

|Leighan Mossop | | |

|Solly Nkoana |nkoanas@ |SANBI: Threatened Species Programme |

|Tony Rebelo | | |

|Evanne Rothwell | | |

|Grant Forbes |Apologies | |

|Carol Milan |Apologies | |

Meetings were held on the:

➢ 2 December 2007 at which it was decided to adopt the NEMBA BMP approach, with a business plan and funding via NatureCare.

➢ 17 March 2008, at which it was decided:

.

10. Proof of Compliance.

Minutes of Initial Stakeholders Meeting of 7/11/2007

Western Leopard Toad Stakeholders Meeting

7th November 2007

Kirstenbosch Research Centre

09h00 Welcome tea Chair: Tony Rebelo (SANBI)

09h15 Welcome remarks

Suvarna Parbhoo (SANBI: Threatened Species Program)

09h30 The Western Leopard Toad; an overview of ecology and distribution

Atherton de Villiers (CapeNature)

10h00 Toad Barriers

Kareemah Jacobs (Consultant: Nature Conservation Corporation)

10h30 Management of Western Leopard Toads in the City of Cape Town

Cliff Dorse (CTCC Biodiversity Directorate)

11h00 A consultant’s perspective

James Harrison (JAH Consultancy)

11h30 Research on the Western Leopard Toad

John Measey (SANBI: Molecular Ecology and Evolution)

12h00 Public input to Leopard Toad conservation

Evanne Rothwell

12h30 A publicity campaign for the Western Leopard Toad

Craig Doonan (Leap Communications)

12h45 Lunch (sponsored by SANBI Threatened Species Program) will be served downstairs on the ground floor.

13h45 Leopard Toad video

14h00 Review of the issues Chair: Tony Rebelo (SANBI)

Split into groups for discussions

16h00 Reporting back on issues from the groups

16h45 Closing remarks:

John Measey (SANBI)

17h00 Meeting end

List of adverts

List of Participants

Standards for norm 2.10: The Proof of compliance shall contain:

• A list of all adverts to stakeholders detailing media and date;

• A list of all stakeholder meetings, workshops and fora held, with:

o Location and date; and,

o List of participants;

• A list of all stakeholders who commented on the first and final drafts:

o Grouped into positive and negative responses;

o Summarizing the response; and,

o Detailing subsequent action taken in the drafts;

• A checklist of norms and standards for both the development process and format, detailing that each norm and standard has been complied with.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Fahiema Daniels (SANBI, Threatened Species Research Unit) for GIS analysis.

11: References.

Cherry, M. I. 1992. Sexual selection in the leopard toad, Bufo pardalis. Behaviour 120 (3-4): 164-176.

Cherry, M.I. and Francillon-Vieillot, H. 1992. Body size, age and reproduction in the leopard toad, Bufo pardalis. Journal of Zoology, London 228: 41-50.

Cunningham, M. and Cherry, M.I. 2000. Mitochondrial DNA divergence in southern African bufonids: are species equivalent entities? African Journal of Herpetology 49(1): 9-22.

De Villiers, A.L. 1997. Monitoring the distribution and conservation status of threatened amphibians in the southwestern Cape. pp. 142-148. In: Proceedings of the Third H.A.A. Symposium on African Herpetology, 1993, Pretoria. Van Wyk, J.H. (ed.). Herpetological Association of Africa, Stellenbosch.

De Villiers, A.L. 2003. Nature Notes. Western Leopard Toad Bufo pantherinus (formerly Bufo pardalis). African Wildlife 57 (2): 29.

De Villiers, A.L. 2004. Bufo pantherinus A. Smith, 1828. Pp. 71-74 in: Minter, L.R., Burger, M., Harrison, J.A., Braack, H.H., Bishop, P.J. and Kloepfer, D. (eds.). Atlas and Red Data Book of the Frogs of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. SI/MAB Series #9. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC and Avian Demography Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town.

De Villiers, A.L. 2004. Watch out for this toad. Village Life 7 (August/September): 10.

Du Toit, C.A. 1971. Amphibians. Pp. 262-278 in: Potgieter, D.J., Du Plessis, P.C. and Skaife, S.H. Animal Life in Southern Africa. Nasionale Opvoedkundige Uitgewery Ltd. (NASOU), Cape Town.

Eick, B.N., Harley, E.H. and Cherry, M.I. 2001. Molecular analysis supports specific status for Bufo pardalis and Bufo pantherinus. Journal of Herpetology 35 (1): 113-114.

Harrison and Associates. 2007. Management of the Western Leopard Toad in a built environment for the conservation committee, Bokkemanskloof, Hout Bay. Impact Assessment.

Harrison, J.A., Burger, M., Minter, L.R., De Villiers, A.L., Baard, E.H.W., Scott, E., Bishop, P.J. and Ellis, S. 2001. Conservation assessment and management plan for southern African frogs. Final Report. IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group: Apple Valley, MN.

Hewitt, J. 1935. Some new forms of batrachians and reptiles from South Africa. Records of the Albany Museum 4: 283-357, pls 27-31.

Le May, J. 2003. Leopard toads: toll road tunnels no solution. African Wildlife 57 (2): 28.

Measey, J. 2007. Save the toads! Village Life 25 (August/September): 4.

Passmore, N.I. 1977. Bufo pardalis (Anura: Bufonidae): Mating call and calling behaviour. Zoologica Africana 12: 234-236.

Poynton, J.C. 1964. The Amphibia of southern Africa: a faunal study. Annals of the Natal Museum. 17: 1-334.

Poynton, J.C. and Lambiris, A.J.L. 1998. On Bufo pantherinus A. Smith, 1828 (Anura: Bufonidae), the leopard toad of the southwestern Cape, South Africa, with the designation of a neotype. African Journal of Herpetology 47 (1): 3-12.

Rose, W. 1929. Veld & Vlei - an account of South African frogs, toads, lizards, snakes, & tortoises. The Speciality Press of South Africa Ltd., Wynberg, Cape Town.

Smith, A. 1828. Descriptions of new or imperfectly known objects of the animal kingdom, found in the south of Africa. South African Commercial Advertiser 3 (145): 2.

The Nature Corporation. 2010. Assessment Report of Breeding Occurrence of endangered Western Leopard Toads Amietophrynus pantherinus east of False Bay. Report for SANBI.

12: Appendixes.

12.1. MoA for the lead and implementing agency: City of Cape Town

12.2. MoA for implementing agency: Cape Nature

12.3. MoA for implementing agency: Table Mountain National Park

12.4. MoA for implementing agency: SANBI

12.5. City of Cape Town: City Parks: Mowing MoU.

Contract

Map of “No Mow” areas.

12.6. City of Cape Town: Roads & Stormwater: Road Activities MoU.

Map of “Blackspots” areas.

12.7. City of Cape Town: Environmental Management Services – policy, planning and building plan approval

Building Plan requirements.

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