Amphibian Extinction Crisis
As an active member of WAZA, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Denver Zoo is working with other zoos and aquariums to respond to the global extinction crisis facing the world's frogs and other amphibians. About one third of the 6000 frog, toad, salamander and newt species are threatened with extinction, more than 120 species have likely become extinct since 1980 and 435 species have declined into a category of greater threat during that time.
As early as 1989 scientists knew that amphibian populations were declining around the world. While many factors behind the extinction of frogs are still not well understood, it is known today that, in some parts of the world, there is a fungus causing the quick extinction of every species throughout their range. The spread of this fungus, called the chytrid fungus, cannot be halted in the wild. Frogs that already suffer from the fungus can be cured by veterinarians, but they cannot be returned to the wild because of the certainty of re-infection and death.
Denver Zoo and other members of WAZA, in cooperation with IUCN (The World Conservation Union), are working together to rescue as many species of frogs and other amphibians as possible. In many cases the only solution is to conserve them in zoos and aquariums with the hope that the species can be returned to the wild at a later stage. This will require a massive coordinated effort, but it is a key component in addressing the global amphibian extinction crisis.
With a view to galvanizing coordinated action by zoos and aquariums, experts of the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union, representatives of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and other stakeholders met from February 12 to 15, 2006 at El Valle, Panama, discussing how a global action plan should be implemented. They recommended criteria for prioritizing species and best practices for breeding facilities, and determined the capacity for rapid response. The meeting envisioned a WAZA coordinated effort with multiple partners that offers a de-centralized approach with multiple breeding facilities.
Denver Zoo has been heavily involved in the conservation of the Panamanian golden frog, Atelopus zeteki, a species that is highly endangered due to habitat loss and the spread of the deadly chytrid fungus. In response to the declines and disappearances of golden frog populations, Denver Zoo joined a group of concerned biologists and formed Project Golden Frog (PGF), a conservation consortium among scientific, educational, and zoological institutions in the Republic of Panama and United States. PGF is a proactive conservation initiative whose single, simple goal is to ensure the survival of one of the most well known, culturally significant, and charismatic amphibians in the world.
PGF directs a coordinated conservation effort with both governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations. Through education, the group is working to create heightened awareness of current global amphibian declines and greater respect among Panamanians and global citizens concerning wildlife. Their efforts also focus on greater land preservation for threatened and endangered species throughout the world.
Denver Zoo staff has visited Panama several times to support the conservation of this valuable species. These same staff members oversee the captive breeding of golden frogs inside the zoo’s Tropical Discovery exhibit. Breeding has been a success and several tadpoles were hatched the summer of 2006. As there is no one in Panama currently working with golden frogs from a captive management perspective, one of several goals of the project is to maintain assurance populations of golden frogs in captivity, educate Panamanians on the plight of the golden frog and to continue with research and conservation of any remaining golden frog populations. To learn more about the PGF visit http://www.ranadorada.org/goldenfrog.htm
For more information about the amphibian extinction crisis and conservation efforts visit:
2008 is The Year Of The Frog! |
