The Western Leopard Toad (WLT) is an endangered species in Cape Town, mostly because of urban development and loss of habitat, as well as risky migration routes across busy roads.

Unless we act now to prevent – and reverse – the decline of this species, we could lose it altogether.

A healthy WLT population is an indication of a healthy state of urban biodiversity, and many of the actions we take to conserve this species will help other wildlife survive in our urban environment.

During August and early September the warmer weather marks the onset of the breeding season, making , these toads more active. They migrate from suburban gardens to ponds and rivers to breed at night when they are in more danger of being run over.

The toads live in compost heaps; drains and other damp areas in gardens and spend much of the year feeding on a variety of prey including crickets, moths and worms. They are rough and dry to the touch and are easily identified by their elaborate markings, which are symmetrical chocolate brown patches on a bright yellow background. The toads’ forehead varies from pink-brown to red and their throats are a granular cream colour.

What you can do to keep the WLT population healthy:

• During the breeding season, look out for them crossing the road
• Garden in a WLT-friendly way: avoid pesticides, grow indigenous plants, and leave WLT-sized gaps in your garden walls or fences, so the frogs can move around your neighbourhood
• WLTs can drown in swimming pools and ponds with high, smooth walls, so install a ‘toad-saver’ – see www.leopardtoad.co.za for details
• WLTs thrive in gardens, so if you encounter one, avoid the temptation to move it to a nearby water body - these toads are terrestrial, and don’t want to be in ponds except in breeding season