CAPE TOWN, Western Cape — Deep within the bustling center of Cape Town, an unlikely sanctuary is protecting one of the region’s most vulnerable species: the endangered Cape micro frog. Barely the size of an adult thumbnail, this tiny amphibian has found its last remaining stronghold in a 52-hectare wetland situated right in the middle of a horse racing track.
The unique ecosystem recently opened its doors for a rare twilight guided tour, organized by the environmental education organization Nature Connect. This event marked one of only two nights each winter when the public is permitted to visit the conservation area at the Kenilworth Race Course. The timing is critical: during this season, male frogs call out to attract females for breeding before retreating into hibernation.
Julien Lawrence, a herpetologist at the amphibian conservation group Anura Africa, emphasized the biological significance of the species. “The micro frog is a very unique species because, for one, it is the smallest frog in South Africa, but it also has no sister species,” Lawrence explained. “It’s the only species within its genus, which makes it incredibly unique and very irreplaceable.”
Measuring just 18 millimeters in length, the Microbatrachella capensis was once found in wetlands across the Western Cape. Today, its numbers are decreasing, and the species is officially red-listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), making this specific racetrack wetland its final known refuge.
Despite the urban surroundings, the area is a thriving biodiversity hotspot. Braden Ingram, a training officer at Nature Connect, described the location as a critical ecological asset.
“This is probably the most important tiny little site in the whole of Cape Town with how much biodiversity actually is within this plant system itself,” Ingram noted. He highlighted that the site supports approximately 11 different types of amphibians, around 27 different types of mammals, and roughly 110 different bird species that visit the area. “It is fantastically rich in all different types of life.”
Beyond the micro frog, the wetland provides a habitat for a variety of other notable creatures, including the baboon spider, the Cape sand frog, the Cape burrowing scorpion, and the Cape dwarf chameleon.
Surrounded by mountains and two oceans, Cape Town’s unique geography, including its proximity to the Cape Floral Kingdom, offers residents rare opportunities to connect with nature. For locals, including professionals in the tech industry, the conservation area provides a privileged escape. Within just 20 minutes of leaving the office, residents can step into this natural environment to disconnect from their laptops and unwind after a long workday.
Currently, the 52-hectare conservation area is privately owned by the Racetrack Company and actively managed by Nature Connect. However, to ensure the long-term survival of the endangered Cape micro frog and its diverse ecological neighbors, formal steps are now underway to designate the site as an official nature reserve.