2008: The Year of the Frog at Johannesburg Zoo
31 January 2008

The Johannesburg Zoo is supporting the global Amphibian conservation campaign through education and awareness as well as a frog-breeding project on the Zoo premises.

The education and awareness campaign kicked off on New Years Eve where staff pledged their support and played leapfrog as a physical demonstration of their commitment.

This is the schedule for the rest of the Year:

  • 29 February: Leap Day – a physical fun day where learners can jump on trampolines, jumping castles and skipping ropes to leap for frogs. Children are invited to participate in education programmes with live frog demonstrations, as well as art and writing messages to frogs. The Zoo frogs may also be adopted and a prize for the best frog name will be given. The day starts at 9:30 and ends at 12:30 with schools booking per time slot. Their visit will include a Zoo DVD giving more information on the Year of the frog and fun sheets to take back to school. The frog art will culminate in an Art exhibition in October 2008, as each frog activity throughout the year will include an invitation to submit art.
     

  • 5 & 12 March Educators Amphibian workshops - a workshop in the Zoo to introduce educators to Amphibians, the work that the Zoo does as well as education programmes offered by the Zoo including an outreach programme to the schools - how educators can use the Zoo to assist them with their education programmes
     

  • 17 March: St Patrick’s Day – a family sunset stroll in the Zoo from 17:00 – 20:00. Frog experts will be on hand to show live frogs and talk about conservation and threats. Family entertainment arranged for young and old.
     

  • 3-5 May: Sasol Birdfair – the Zoo will place emphasis on the role that frogs play in food webs and the effect on birds if frogs had to become extinct. The Sasol Birdfair is focused on cultivating bird lovers and enjoyment of nature.
     

  • 5 June: World Environment Day: the main education theme will be focused on the health of water systems such as dams, rivers and wetlands and how we can contribute to the conservation of frogs. We expect between 2500- 5000 school learners to participate in various activities.
     

  • July and August Holiday programmes - fun activities for kids from 3-14 focused on frog athletics, frog habitats, frog eating habits and conservation. Individuals book these programmes on a daily basis.
     

  • 5 September: Arbor Day: a programme that focuses on trees but we will place special emphasis on frogs and the role of trees in the lives of frogs. We expect between 2500- 5000 learners for this celebration.
     

  • 4 October: World Animal Day: Frog Art Exhibition from 10:00 – 16:00 exhibiting and selling art collected throughout the year to raise funds for the conservation of frogs.

There will be some additional activities that we will update throughout the year. Some joint activities are planned with PAAZAB (Africa Association of Zoos and Aquaria) member institutions such as the National Zoo and Queens Park Zoo in East London. The PAAZAB AGM will have a strong focus on the 2008: Year of the Frog. Ushaka Seaworld is hosting the AGM, 7-9 May 2008.

Many thanks and for further information, please contact

Louise Gordon
Executive manager Marketing and Education
011 646-2000 ext 254
Fax 011 486-0244
louise@jhbzoo.org.za

For information on programmes at
• National Zoo – plse contact Craig Allenby at 082 9083137 or craig@zoo.ac.za
• East London Zoological Gardens: Nico Roux on nicor@el-zoo.co.za 

For information on the PAAZAB AGM and PAAZAB activities
DAVE MORGAN
Executive Director: African Association of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZAB)
Chairman: Committee for Inter-regional Conservation Coordination
World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)

PO Box 60197
Pierre van Ryneveld
0045
SOUTH AFRICA

Tel/FAX +27 12 662 1854
paazab@paazab.com
www.paazab.com

PAAZAB Educational Initiatives
A resource pack for educators is nearing completion and will be made available to all PAAZAB members, educators and Sharenet for distribution. The Resource pack will be available on compact disk.

 

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