Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 222529400

Western Leopard Toad Underpass Project

The Western Leopard Toad is currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The species is associated with sandy coastal lowlands, and is found in the general vicinity of rivers and wetland habitats. It is endemic to the Fynbos Biome occurring in threatened Fynbos and Strandveld habitats in the extreme south-western corner of the Western Cape, South Africa, and is used as a flagship species for the health of freshwater ecosystems.

The species is threatened throughout most of its range by general development and habitat degradation. In the urban environment, fragmentation restricts foraging and movement of toads and can lead to the isolation and the loss of populations and breeding sites. In a draft National Species Conservation Plan, road kills at breeding sites is listed as the greatest threat facing the species, as the toads move from garden habitats to water bodies to breed.

This pilot project will install underpasses under the road through which the toads can safely pass. Monitoring will be conducted during the breeding season to determine the efficacy of the underpasses. This project is the first of its kind in Africa, as the installation of amphibian underpasses has never been undertaken before.

Project document

• Nature Connect Integrated Report 2021-2022




Project 222529400 location - South Africa, Africa