SAVE THE FROGS! Africa
Educating, Inspiring, Empowering And Connecting Africa’s Amphibian Conservationists
The mission of SAVE THE FROGS! Africa is to protect Africa’s amphibian populations and to promote a society that respects and appreciates nature and wildlife.
We encourage you to join us on our efforts: together we can SAVE AFRICA’S FROGS!
SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meetups take place on the last Saturday of each month at 10am Los Angeles time.
Receive Invites To Upcoming SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meetups
SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meetups are free online events created to connect and educate amphibian enthusiasts who hold a shared interest in protecting Africa’s amphibian populations.
SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meetups take place on the last Saturday of each month at 10am Los Angeles time.
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About SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meetups
Join Dr. Kerry Kriger and fellow amphibian enthusiasts for SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meetups! During these free one-hour online events, you will be able to meet African amphibian conservationists; introduce yourself; hear about ongoing projects on the continent – and tell us about yours. You can ask your questions and receive advice on fundraising, project planning and implementation. We will suggest actions you can take to assist your local amphibian populations.
With your input and involvement, we will determine a path forward for SAVE THE FROGS! Africa.
We encourage you to spread the word about SAVE THE FROGS! Africa and invite your colleagues to this meeting!
SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meetups take place on the last Saturday of each month at 10am Los Angeles time.
Schedule Of Events
SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meetups take place the last Saturday of every month at 10am Los Angeles Time.
…except in December, when they take place the 2nd to last Saturday of the month.
You can click the “View larger version” button at the bottom right to get a full-page view of the table. Or scroll down and to the right to see more data.
The artwork on this page was created by SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger in Midjourney.
2024 Meetings
SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meetup Featuring Fortunate Phaka (October 26th, 2024)
Frog diversity in places of high cultural diversity: A South African perspective
Dr. Fortunate Mafeta Phaka (North-West University and South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity) has been researching frogs in South Africa’s high biodiversity regions since 2015, with a focus on approaches that fulfill both conservation and social objectives.
About the presentation:
The world’s regions of high biodiversity in general also have high cultural or linguistic diversity. Researchers noticed this coincidence and started to question whether the connection between the two diversities extended beyond their geographical co-occurrence. Combining social and biological science methodology provides the ideal approach for investigating past and present relationships between biodiversity and people’s cultures beyond their co-occurrence. Through this approach that transcends scientific disciplines, the research presented here provides the first comprehensive analysis of the relationship between South African cultures and the country’s diversity of frogs as the country is rich in both biological and cultural diversity. Within each element of cultural diversity there is either consumptive use of frogs, or cultural practices that are protective towards frogs. This improved understanding of people’s activities and perceptions relating to frogs is in line South Africa’s integrative policy objectives. The work also provides a basis for an outreach initiative that aims to increase knowledge of frogs and other wildlife in South Africa’s Indigenous languages.
“The presentation by Fortunate was absolutely fascinating.”
– Jack Stearns, Massachussetts
SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meeting Featuring Arno van Niekerk (September 28th, 2024)
Reproductive behaviour of the Kloof Frog (Natalobatrachus bonebergi), an endangered South African endemic
“I will start the presentation by giving a brief overview of my master’s project, focusing on different aspects of the Kloof Frog’s behaviours associated with reproduction. I will then proceed to give details about the Kloof Frog and what makes this South African endemic species special. Flowing from the description of the Kloof Frog, I will then delve into the aspects of the species that I have studied, including acoustic monitoring, egg clump monitoring and specific behavioural observations made on the processes of reproduction, parental care, predation and competition.”
I am currently completing my MSc in Environmental Sciences with a focus on amphibian conservation at North-West University. I hold a BSc in Ecology and a BSc Honours in Wildlife Management.
Throughout my academic journey, I have had the opportunity to participate in various conservation conferences, including the South African Wildlife Management Association (SAWMA) Conference in 2022 and the Herpetological Association of Africa (HAA) Conference in 2023. At the HAA conference, I delivered a mini oral presentation on my research, and I also presented a poster at the Oppenheimer Research Conference (ORC) that same year. Both presentations highlighted my master’s research on the reproductive behaviour and conservation of the endangered Kloof Frog.
SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meeting Featuring Kurt van Wyk (August 31st, 2024)
Monitoring threatened frogs at the southern tip of Africa
Almost 70% of South Africa’s threatened frog species are endemic to the Western Cape Province, a region well known for its unique biodiversity. At the very bottom of this province – the southern tip of Africa – three frogs face extinction. A collaborative conservation initiative has begun to secure key habitats for these and other priority species across the Agulhas Plain. In this presentation, Kurt van Wyk, Landscape Ecologist at the Grootbos Foundation, describes what is being done to monitor and protect these charismatic species and their ecosystems. He provides an overview of the region’s habitats and noteworthy species, before diving into the details of fieldwork and analyses that inform conservation action.
About Kurt:
“I am a Landscape Ecologist with a lifelong passion for herpetology. I have spent the last eight years furthering my academic and professional career in reptile and amphibian ecology, with a focus on spatial ecology and threatened species monitoring. I hold a BSc in Environmental and Life Sciences from University College Roosevelt in the Netherlands, an Honour’s Degree in Environmental Management from the University of South Africa, and am currently in the process of upgrading from an MSc to a PhD in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. I have six years of field research experience in the savanna and fynbos biomes, including work on insects, reptiles, and frogs. Since I was a teenager, I have regularly delivered educational talks on southern African ecology to students and tourists. My current role at the Grootbos Foundation involves surveying for a number of threatened vertebrates across the landscape and engaging with diverse communities to educate and inspire a love for our local environment.”
SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meeting Featuring Dr. Jeanne Tarrant (June 29th, 2024)
Amphibian Conservation in South Africa
Dr. Jeanne Tarrant of South Africa gave a presentation entitled: “Introducing Anura Africa – a new organization in the amphibian conservation space in Africa”.
Watch the recording on the SAVE THE FROGS! YouTube Channel or in the SAVE THE FROGS! Academy Africa course.
South African amphibian biologist Dr. Jeanne Tarrant
SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meeting:
May 25th, 2024
Meet Amphibian Enthusiasts From Africa And Beyond
On the first SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meetup of 2024, Dr. Kerry Kriger hosted an online session to reconnect with amphibian conservationists across Africa. The event aimed to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among amphibian enthusiasts.
Watch the recording on the SAVE THE FROGS! YouTube Channel or in the SAVE THE FROGS! Academy Africa course.
Recordings Of 2023 Meetings
Amphibian Ecology in Kenya
SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meeting #5:
December 9th, 2023
Join Dr. Kerry Kriger and fellow amphibian enthusiasts for the 5th meeting of SAVE THE FROGS! Africa, at 10am Los Angeles time (convert timezone here).
Amphibian biologist Thomas Odeyo of Kenya will give a presentation entitled: “Unusual And Rare: The Taita Hills Warty Frog (Callulina dawida)”
“The Taita Warty frog (Callulina dawida) is an endemic and critically endangered species in Taita Hills Forest, located in Kenya. The conservation efforts for this species will benefit the Taita Warty frog and the entire ecosystem it inhabits. Capacity building and awareness raising are needed to ensure this species’ effective management. Here, I will be presenting the work I have been doing together with the community to ensure that the frogs habitat is protected.
I have been a volunteer at the National Museums of Kenya, Herpetology section, for the past three years. Here, I have been able to learn under experienced scientists and have gained crucial skills that are important to amphibian conservation. Currently I am a Postgraduate student at Kenyatta University (Kenya) M.Sc. (Animal Ecology). You can connect with me on LinkedIn.”
We encourage you to spread the word about SAVE THE FROGS! Africa and invite your colleagues to this meeting!
Kenyan amphibian biologist Thomas Odeyo
African frog art created in Midjourney by Dr. Kerry Kriger
Amphibian Diversity in Ethiopia
SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meeting #4:
October 28th, 2023
Join Dr. Kerry Kriger and fellow amphibian enthusiasts for the 4th meeting of SAVE THE FROGS! Africa, at 10am Los Angeles time (convert timezone here).
Amphibian biologist Abeje Kassie Teme will give a presentation on amphibian diversity in Ethiopia:
“My name is Abeje Kassie, and I hold a BSc in Biology from Addis Ababa University and MSc in Zoology from Bahirdar University, Ethiopia. Since January 2013, I have been working as a herpetologist and researcher at the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute. Additionally, I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in the Department of Ecology and Zoological Science at Addis Ababa University. My doctoral thesis focuses on the diversity of amphibians in the southwest region of Ethiopia. During my research carrier, I have published more than 10 articles about amphibians with my colleagues.
The Ethiopian highlands are divided into the northwestern and southeastern regions by the Great East African Rift Valley. This geographical division has led to the development of distinct vegetation and ecosystems in these highlands. Ethiopia, being a tropical country, has a generally humid climate that supports the existence of various amphibian species. To date, more than 80 amphibian species have been documented, with 40 species being endemic to Ethiopia. However, prior to 1986, there were only a few studies conducted on the diversity of Ethiopian amphibians, resulting in significant gaps in our knowledge. Nevertheless, in the past several decades, there has been a renewed interest in researching Ethiopian frogs.”
We encourage you to spread the word about SAVE THE FROGS! Africa and invite your colleagues to this meeting!
“Thank you for yesterday’s meeting. I loved the presentation from Ethiopia.” – Cedrick Fogwan, Amphibian Biologist, Cameroon
“Kerry, I just want to reiterate on how fascinating the presentation of Ethiopian amphibians was. As my Dad always said, a day isn’t wanted if you learn something new…this day was not wasted!”
– Jack Stearns, SAVE THE FROGS! Member
SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meeting #3:
September 16th, 2023
Frogs In The Treetops
Join Dr. Kerry Kriger and fellow amphibian enthusiasts for the 3rd meeting of SAVE THE FROGS! Africa, at 10am Los Angeles time (convert timezone here).
During this free one-hour online event, amphibian biologist Ed Basham will give an enlightening presentation on “Frogs in the Treetops”:
“My name is Edmund Basham. I am from the UK originally, but I studied for my Ph.D. at the University of Florida and am now a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin. I have been catching frogs and other critters for as long as I can remember. I spent my youth climbing trees and staring into the pond in my garden, and it’s these experiences that I attribute to finding my professional career as an Ecologist. I have always been keen on adventure and I wanted to get away from the grey skies of England, so I put amphibians, tree climbing, and travel together and became a specialist in tropical canopy frogs.
My first break in my career was as a research assistant surveying frogs in Colombia in 2013, but the climbing started when I was given the opportunity in 2015 to join a National Geographic funded project in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar, led by Dr Brett Scheffers. Here I first learned the arborist techniques needed to climb trees, and for three months I was a rainforest denizen being shouted at by lemurs in the treetops and trekking around the forest looking for the best trees to climb. On the basis of my work on that project, I was offered to apply to the University of Florida as a Ph.D. student in the Scheffers Lab. Now a Postdoc at UT Austin, I have the opportunity to improve and extend my research program to new places and new frogs, in the hope to understanding more about the threats they face.
The difficulty of accessing the rainforest canopy has meant that there is very little data on canopy creatures in general, and even less for frogs (and reptiles). My mission therefore is to climb the biggest trees in the best tropical forests in search of amazing frogs. During my Ph.D. research, I was successful in surveying forests in Panama, Costa Rica, Madagascar, and Gabon. My current Postdoc position at University of Texas (UT) Austin will see me continue the survey of canopy amphibians of Gabon, collecting data to help better predict future climate change and disease impacts on amphibians.
I am fascinated by the canopy in the same way I am fascinated about going to countries I haven’t been to before; they are new, different, exciting, and there is a lot to be learned from them. The canopy is a very different place than the forest floor; it is hotter, drier, windier, and provides unique resources, thus, there are a host of specialized creatures which have adapted to this habitat and can only be found there. Here I will present on some of my prior work and what I’m looking to explore in the future.”
We encourage you to spread the word about SAVE THE FROGS! Africa and invite your colleagues to this FREE online event!
SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meeting: December 9th, 2023
In this video, amphibian biologist Thomas Odeyo of Kenya gives a fabulous presentation entitled “Unusual And Rare: The Taita Hills Warty Frog (Callulina dawida)”.
Watch The Recording!
Watch The Recording!
SAVE THE FROGS! Africa:
August 12th, 2023 Meeting
In this video, SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger and fellow amphibian enthusiasts discuss SAVE THE FROGS! Africa and some of the best ways to ensure that people like and respect frogs – which often leads to them saving frogs.
SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Inaugural Meeting: July 8th, 2023
In this video, you will meet SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger and amphibian conservationists from Zambia, Kenya, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, the UK and the USA. Live music provided by Steve “The Bard of Ely” Andrews.
Watch The Recording!
Gain access to SAVE THE FROGS! Academy and more when you become a SAVE THE FROGS! Member. Membership is included with successful scholarship application
Volunteer For SAVE THE FROGS! Africa
We are seeking dedicated volunteers with two hours or more per week dedicate to helping us protect Africa’s amphibian populations. If you are interested, email us a paragraph about yourself and how you think you could help.
SAVE THE FROGS! Zambia Ecotour
We are in the midst of creating a SAVE THE FROGS! Zambia Ecotour and would like to hear from you if you are interested in joining!
SAVE THE FROGS! Song By Hills Morgan Of Uganda
Listen to this fabulous song from Hills Morgan and Hi City Records out of Uganda. Spread it around if you like it!
Calling All Music Lovers!
Contact Us
Feel free to contact us with questions about SAVE THE FROGS! Africa or to schedule an interview for your podcast or magazine.
