​A trailblazing Joburg Zoo Curator who headed a ground-breaking conservation project to reintroduce 400 amphibians back into their natural habitat believes stricter environmental measures are needed to avoid rare species being endangered.

“The Pickersgill’s Reed Frogs were classified as critically endangered and because they are endemic to KwaZulu Natal and are a huge part of South African biodiversity, we were able to introduce what we have learned from studying the Marbled or Painted Reed Frogs into this species and successfully breed it,” explains Ian du Plessis, the Curator of Reptiles, Fish, Insects, and Amphibians at the Joburg Zoo.

Du Plessis says the Pickersgill’s Reed Frogs were the first species he and his team at the zoo needed to examine because their numbers in the wild have dwindled.

“This is a species of severe interest because it plays such a huge role in our ecosystem. Pickersgill’s Reed Frogs eat insects that can have a devastating effect on agricultural fields, such as sugar canes,” he explains.

He notes that frogs, in overall, are considered natural barometers, because they indicate environmental imbalances or threats. Frogs are also the first to be affected by environmental degradation. Their declining numbers in the wild may be a warning to people that the planet is becoming unliveable.

“No matter what’s behind it, the disappearance of frogs from the natural ecosystem is cause for concern,” he warns.

There are various other species that du Plessis and his Joburg Zoo team are dissecting as part of the Amphibian Conservation Project, such as the Masked Frog and the Giant bullfrog.

Currently, Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo has been roped in to help Uganda conserve its species of frogs and du Plessis is leading the charge.

Du Plessis wears many hats at the Joburg Zoo, serving as the acting Animal Welfare Manager overseeing all animal sections, from carnivores to primates and is the Coordinator of the Amphibian and Reptiles Resource Project. He is also the Emergency Manager in charge of the general wellbeing of all animals at the facility.

Before a stint at Joburg City Parks and Zoo, du Plessis worked as a Manager at Croc-world conservation centre, embarked on farming in Namibia and plied his trade as an Ecologist at the Didingwe River Lodge. He also served as a Manager at Misava Export and Trading and held the position of Group Manager at Bester Birds and Animal Zoo. He had a short stint at the National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria and at the Joburg Zoo between 2006 and 2009, before returning to Parkview in 2015.

An avid scholar of animal welfare, du Plessis has authored various academic research articles on endangered species and is responsible for the Life Support System of all animals at the zoo.

Born and raised in Joburg’s northern neighbour, Tshwane, du Plessis has been involved in conservation work since he was a youngster and has participated in nature conservation across various fields. He became involved with the Pretoria Zoo after being exposed to other Zoos internationally as a young boy and is passionate about animal welfare.

Du Plessis has also worked in Botswana, conducting different research and other relevant projects and activities within the agricultural field. He asserts that environmental conservation and agriculture have always been something close to his heart.

A father of two kids, du Plessis holds a National Diploma in Nature Conservation from the Tshwane University of Technology and is currently completing a Master of Science degree with the University of KwaZulu Natal. He also has qualifications in First Aid, Ethics, Venomous snake handling, Ranger Officer, Marks’ man (shooting), and in Handling Disciplinary enquiries.

He is currently dissecting the endangered species of insects both at the Joburg Zoo and at Ezemvelo Wildlife centre in KZN. Once he’s studied the species, he releases them into suitable conservation areas. Du Plessis says he also enjoys studying critically endangered species called Skinks, which most people mistaken for a snake but is a lizard.

“There’s a lot of improvement at the Joburg Zoo and we are working on an environmental awareness and education campaign to ensure the facility is of an international standard,” he says.

Du Plessis is Christian and is enthusiastic about hydroponic farming. He enjoys the outdoors, particularly off-road mountain biking. In his spare time, du Plessis loves gardening and keeping up to date with research and information about newly discovered species. He also loves quiet time with his family.

Written by Gontse ‘GeE’ Hlophe
22/09/2021