HIT AND RUN PENINSULA RD ZEEKOEVLEI, 5 KILLED!!!!!!
Last night the Zeekoevlei leopard toads decided it was time to go courting, their desires were short lived, no less than 5 were run over between number 1 & 5 Peninsula Rd. What about the rest of the area?
This was done by SOME residents of Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve (though many drive with real care) and visitors to the area, this in spite of publicity in the press and emails from this body they could not slow down for a mere 100metres.
an idea of size, this is a little one
The toads are not small a least the size of an orange, is it not to much to ask just to drive slowly and look out for one or 2 nights of the year? They are also easily visible as a shiny white rectangle in the car headlights.
And this one was only a baby
I will close off with a curse to the guilty parties “May the miggies of a 1000 summers infest your home this summer, with no leopard toads to eat them”
Remember “LEAD SA” put yourself out for others
Setting the facts straight on arum lilies and frogs
JOINT STATEMENT BY:
CITY OF CAPE TOWN
CAPE NATURE
SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY INSTITUTE
30 AUGUST 2010
Setting the facts straight on arum lilies and frogs
The City of Cape Town’s Environmental Resource Management (ERM) Department has noted that inaccurate information is circulating about the sale of arum lilies, and the protection of two of the Cape’s amphibians, the arum lily frog and micro frog.
An appeal to FoZR from Rondevlei Nature Reserve:
Harsh reality - Pretty but Bad for the Vlei
“We desperately need to cut our reed-beds & will have to do so manually, as the reed harvester machine has been out of action most of the year & we do not know when it can be repaired. However, our staff requires wetsuits to carry out this task, as they do not have any gear suitable for spending long periods of time standing in the water & we do not have sufficient budget to purchase waders or wetsuits.
Reed Cutter Cutting
That leads me to this request – please could any of our Friends and the community who have wetsuits they are willing to part with, please donate these for our staff / volunteers to use? We need these urgently! I am looking at a minimum of four wetsuits – 2 large & 2 medium (male-size) wetsuits preferably please. We would greatly appreciate any help in this regard – If anybody kindly has a wetsuit for us they may drop it off at Rondevlei’s entrance, with their contact details please, so that I may thank them afterwards.
Reed Harvester afloat
Many thanks & waiting earnestly for a response!
Kind regards
Tamaryn”
Bush Pub Evening in the Nature Reserve
Please diarise the following:
So you thought the party is over after the World Cup has finished? Think again!
All neighbours in and around the Vlei are warmly invited to join us for a Bush Pub evening of socialising, music, dancing and fun.
When: Friday; 10th September from 5 PM to midnight.
Where: Rondevlei Nature Reserve at the Lapa Outdoor Area (next to nursery).
Why: Meet your neighbours for a friendly chat and support the fundraising efforts of your local Friends of Zeekoevlei and Rondevlei (FoZR) team.
What else: Soup & bread, snacks and a variety of drinks are available (cool-drinks and wine, mixers, whisky, brandy, beer).
How much: Adults R 20 (includes a free glass of gluhwein or grape juice) and Kids – your donation.
Note: ALL proceeds from sales go to FoZR for environmental protection and education programmes.
Regards
–
Dee (Chairperson FOZR)
email: fozrchair@gmail.com
Chairpersons Report from the Friends of Zeekoevlei and Rondevlei AGM 2010
Chairperson’s Report Back: Dee Cranswick
PORTFOLIOS 2009/10
Chair / Legal – Dee Cranswick
Vice-chair – Lee H. Watson (and Minutes)
Treasurer – Ingrid Baigrie
Membership & Projects Susanne Dittke
Secretary Communications (Media, Editor, Website/Digital Media) – Laurianne Claase
Fundraising – Colleen McDowell
Activities – Neil Major
Reserve Liaison – Asieff Khan
CONTACT INFORMATION LEGAL & TAX STATUS
Name: Friends of Zeekoevlei and Rondevlei (FoZR)
Contact Person: Dee Cranswick
Street Address: c/o Rondevlei Nature Reserve Fishermans Walk Zeekoevlei
Postal Address: 15 Peninsula Road Zeekoevlei 7941
Telephone: 021 7056103
Fax: 086 6722324
Email: deecrans@netactive.co.za
NPO: 062-491
Section 18A tax status In application
Banking Details: Nedbank, Claremont Branch No: 104609 Savings Account No: 2046663500
Accountants: M Hyslop CA (SA)
Purpose:
The FRIENDS OF ZEEKOEVLEI AND RONDEVLEI group is an apolitical, community-based organization that aims to promote local environmental interests. Its focus is to assist local authorities with the protection of our unique biodiversity, especially the much-threatened sand plain fynbos, through creating public awareness and assisting with efforts to eradicate alien invasive species.
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Recognition for great work
The Toads Are On The Move – And we DO Make A Difference
“With the expecting rain at this time of the year it is probable the Western Cape Leopard may start their migration to the breeding grounds.
Whilst it is not apparent where these are in the Zeekoevlei area, our toads do move.
You can assist (these toads are really endangered) by the following
1) Most importantly drive slowly on Peninsula Rd, Victoria Rd, Fisherman’s Walk
2) Ask your guests to drive slowly on these roads.
3) If you see a toad crossing the road note the direction it is going, pick it up and place on the side of the road it was going too.
4) Trust me they are not slimey, poisonous, or vicious.
Quinton Davids of Boat Rd and myself are involved in the group and if you would like to join us in the study please contact us
Ron Keytel (Keytel@iafrica.com), 021705 4333, 084 450 8450
Nature Talk: Life in the Kelp Forest – be there or be square.
There is another fascinating nature talk this Thursday the 19th of August. The talks are really interesting and delightful for all, both I and my children loved the last one! Its worth me making them have an afternoon nap despite the moans!
Venue: Rondevlei Auditorium at 8pm.
The talk is by Michael Farquhar (Curator of the Two Oceans Aquarium) on Life in the Kelp Forest.
ARUM LILY froggie PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD
Apparently if you see someone selling arum lillies you must call City Law Enforcement on (021) 596 1400/1424
Please Dont kill Arum Lily Frogs
It is the start of Arum Lily season. A tiny endangered Arum Lily Micro Frog breeds inside the water and dew held in the cup of these Lilies. We are desperate to curtail the gross destruction of Lilies. Please don’t buy Lilies sold at traffic intersections. Maybe I should have done a bit more research Please note the following According to the CapeNature, the City’s Environmental Resource Department and the South African National Biodiversity Institute, this frog does not exist. There are, however, two different species of frog, namely the micro frog (Microbatrachella capensis) and the arum lily frog (Hyperolius horstockii). The micro frog is smaller than a fingernail, while the arum lily frog is somewhat larger, growing to about 40 mm in length. Furthermore, no frog species breeds in the flowers of arum lilies. While the arum lily frog occasionally uses the flowers for shelter, it is not dependent on them. Arum lily frogs breed in wetlands and not in the flowers of the arums. The micro frog is ground-dwelling, breeding in temporary pools, and it does not climb into any flowers.
Would you please do a tiny bit, and just FWD this by email to everyone you can? Maybe I should have done a bit more research Please note the following “While the illegal harvesting of arum lilies will not lead to the extinction of arum lily frogs, the sale of illegally harvested flora at traffic lights is cause for concern. If left unchecked, other illegally harvested plants such as proteas, ericas, and various bulb species may be seen at traffic lights in the future. Care must therefore be taken to buy from legally compliant retailers. All roving vendors and intersection traders selling flowers are illegal. However, traders selling flowers in demarcated trading bays are legal, and regulated by the City. The City encourages the public to report illegal trading on 021 596 1400/1424.
Yours sincerely
FOBPOS
FRIENDS OF THE BAKKERSHOOGTE PUBLIC OPEN SPACE
Address – Suite 222, Private Bag X34, Somerset West 7129
Fax number – 086 691 1942
email address – fobpos@gmail.com
UPDATE: Thanks to Reinee who provided more information on the Arum Lily and the micro frog – visit this link to get the facts: http://www.urbansprout.co.za/arum_lilies_pick_them_at_your_peril
Another Update: Moondance has learned his lesson and will check out anything he posts in the future because he now looks like a horses a%$3. Sorry folks I was a bit hasty and sent out misinformation though the lily and its environment must be protected and preserved, I guess it was the cute factor of having seen the little frogs with their orange socks snuggled up inside the lillies at the bottom of my garden that did it, the photos I took myself. Yikes I hate admitting I was dumb!
When is the water coming back up?
in good South African – NOW NOW! – get the last reeds out folks, pick up that last bit of litter, the weir gets closed on the 06th August 2010 at 15h00.
