Biodiversity management plan for the western leopard toad amietophrynus pantherinus

Complicated by the fact that although migration only takes 1-3 days three times per year, and at night when traffic volume is usually reduced, the actual dates are variable depending on the climate, and the circumstances under which traffic needs to be controlled most is during wet weather at night when visibility and stopping distances are poor. Permanent safe crossings are ideal but are very expensive (R??? per crossing), but can perhaps be accommodated most easily during the next cycle of road surface maintenance at hot spots. In the short term, the hot spots still need to be identified, but this should be relatively simple, although hot spots may well change through time as populations fluctuate.

Motorists aiming for toads, deliberately riding over toads, or carelessly riding over toads at signed blackspots should be stopped and fined. Dummy toads could be used to ascertain if this really is a problem as alleged by some parties.

1. Ongoing monitoring will be required to determine dates of migrations, and automated procedures are required to notify volunteers. Neighbourhood watch groups should be enlisted to help spot starts of migrations.

2. Problems in the past include that migrations sometimes are noted on Friday nights when officials are off work and the entire migration is completed before officials can be reached during office hours. Since weekend traffic is often bad at night, major mortality occurs before official support can be obtained.

3. Signage should seriously consider stickers of “squashed toads” that can be placed on roads approaching blackspots. These need to be traffic safe.

4. Indicators for ongoing actions should be posted on the SANBI website.
Threat 2. Predation by alien exotic fish

Desired Objective: Barbel and Carp have become major predators in some of the biggest breeding areas. These are known to eat the tadpoles mid-way through their development. These species should be controlled where possible at the most significant breeding sites. The obvious action of research into the effects of these aliens is dealt with under research.

Actions Needed:

Action	Rank	Parties	Time Frame	Resources	Impacts	Incentives	Indicators
Survey the distribution and abundance of alien fish at breeding sites	1	Lead: CapeNature Implementation: CapeNature & CoCT: BMP Volunteers	Initiation: September 2009 Duration: Two months Completion: December 2009	CapeNature teams exist	Positive: Assess potential of threat Negative: None	Publicity; Public pressure;	Estimated populations of alien fish at each breeding site; Number of breeding sites surveyed for alien fish
Remove alien fish by catching and selective poisoning (if appropriate)	2	Lead: CapeNature Implementation: CapeNature & CoCT: BMP	Initiation: As required	CapeNature teams exist	Positive: Better breeding Negative: Indigenous and important fish killed; Temporary increased fly and mosquito populations	Publicity; Public pressure;	Breeding sites with alien fish at unacceptably high population levels

Inappropriate actions: Allow or encourage alien fish to be introduced into local waterways. Ponds on wine estates, golf courses, and water features in shopping malls should be policed.
Threat 3. Wetland destruction

Desired Objective: All known significant breeding sites should be excluded from any future development. No significant breeding sites should be lost. Wetland rehabilitation (dredging, deepening of canals and ponds, reforming edges) should not be undertaken between breeding and toadlet emergence. Significant populations breed in ponds in Golf Courses and contractual agreements with these regarding the future of these ponds should be explored.

Actions Needed: Significant breeding sites need to be identified and a data base maintained. All developments in and around these sites that may negatively impact on the site require mitigation. Wetland rehabilitation in and near these areas may only be undertaken during Summer and Autumn, from January to June.

Action	Rank	Parties	Time Frame	Resources			Impacts	Incentives	Indicators
		Lead: Implementation:	Initiation: Duration: Completion:				Positive Negative
New development applications - Ask for specialist studies when necessary. Set conditions of approval.	1	DEA&DP:IEM CoCT: EMS	Ongoing
Rectify illegal infilling/destruction of wetlands.	2	DEA&DP:IEM CoCT: EMS
Restoration and rehabilitation of wetlands following floods, infilling and erosion.	3	CoCT: EMS CoCT: roads and sewage
Golf Course and other significant private ponds should become parts of stewardship agreements.	4	CoCT: EMS

Inappropriate actions:
Threat 4. Walls and tall barriers

Desired Objective: Walls and fences within 1km of all Breeding sites to be permeable to toads (including those in amplexis). This requires that every 20m of wall or fence have at least one hole of 100mm diameter at ground level, that is not longer than 300mm. Open gutters are suitable. This should be incorporated into planning requirements of all new developments and alterations to existing developments. All applications within 1km of breeding sites and blackspots should be sent a copy of a toad leaflet with any proposals or approved plans. A possible free service, where a contractor should go out and create the holes for the resident, should be investigated.

Automatic gates that do not have 50 mm clearance at ground level should be regarded as solid barriers.