The beautiful but endangered western leopard toad is under severe threat, thanks to plans to build a road through one of its last remaining breeding grounds. These rare creatures, who play a vital role in keeping nature in balance, are so endangered that they cling to survival in just a few small areas of South Africa’s Western Cape.
Only 369 western leopard toads could be found in the 2020 census…
and 50 of those were dead!
They desperately need to be protected, but instead, their habitat is to be destroyed.
Property developers want to build houses in Noordhoek, the area where the toads live. Environmentalists and local residents are outraged and have pleaded with the City of Cape Town to leave the toads alone. Instead, the City approved a road that will go straight through the environmentally sensitive wetlands, destroying one of the toads’ last breeding areas. If this happens, the species’ very survival is at stake.
The Noordhoek Environmental Action Group (NEAG), a small volunteer group run by a handful of concerned residents, mounted an appeal process, which was rejected. But this tenacious group will not give up, and they approached the Animal Survival International (formerly Political Animal Lobby) for support. Thanks to ASI’s caring supporters and their generosity, the toads may have a chance of winning!
NEAG’s lawyers have applied to court, challenging the decision, and demanding that it be reversed. They are confident that there is a good chance of justice prevailing in the fight for the survival of the western leopard toads. The City says it will not back down, and a court battle looms. Now, more than ever, the toads need our support to fight the City and secure their future. Please, donate generously today.
What a crazy world it is when bureaucrats can say a road is more important than saving one of the last pockets of an endangered species’ home!
WHAT CAPE TOWN IS DOING IS WRONG!
It will result in an endangered species hurtling closer to extinction…
and there’s no coming back from extinction!
Please help us continue to fight for the western leopard toad and its last remaining habitat. If we don’t, who will?
All over the world, governments and local authorities get away with making decisions that destroy our biodiversity because very few people have the ability to fight back. This is why we are trying to help. Let’s stand together and win the battle to save a unique species.
This is the only chance the toads have. Help us be a voice for the toads. Donate today so that we can keep supporting NEAG and the toads to the very end.