The Two Oceans Aquarium recently added a new member to its family!

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS POST CONTAINS IMAGES OF AN INJURED ANIMAL.

IT MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE.

Affectionately named for his injury, Lego the Western leopard toad was brought to the Two Oceans Aquarium on 25 July 2018.

He was found on the road in the Cape Town suburb of Zeekoevlei at night after unfortunately having being hit by a car. He was making his annual journey to the breeding pools where he would have met other male toads waiting for female toads to join them for mating. His back-left limb was badly damaged, leaving bone and muscle tissue clearly exposed.

Lego was taken to the Cape Exotic Animal Hospital in Durbanville the day he arrived at the Aquarium. He was examined by Dr Bernice van Huyssteen.

Dr van Huyssteen took X-rays which confirmed that his back left limb was indeed broken and needed to be amputated.

“This one was brought to us by the staff of the Two Oceans Aquarium in need of urgent help. His leg was fractured in three places and had to be amputated. He initially had a slow recovery, but improved daily after his surgery. As he cannot be released again we are glad he will now be able to call the Two Oceans Aquarium his new home.” – Cape Exotic Animal Hospital

Lego remained under the watchful eye of the Animal Hospital’s team until he was collected on 30 July and brought back to the Aquarium where he was placed in quarantine and cared for by Animal Health Technician Tersia Greenstone, and given constant love and affection by the staff of the Aquarium's Curatorial Department (who gave up a corner of their office for a temporary home for Lego).

Lego's sutures have now healed and he has regained his original strength. Unfortunately, lacking a leg, Lego will not be able to survive in the wild and thus cannot be released so he will be joining Charlie, our other resident Western leopard toad in his display near the Penguin Exhibit.