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''2008: Year of the frog''
An alarm is being sounded worldwide in regards to the first vertebrates to make their appearance on Earth 360 million years ago; as you read this, amphibians are disappearing by the hundreds and others are heading towards the same fate in what can only be described as an unprecedented crisis. This is the greatest mass extinction on a planetary scale since the disappearance of dinosaurs. In order to draw attention to this global disaster, the international scientific community has declared ''2008: Year of the frog''.
The 25 accredited Canadian zoos and aquariums, including Granby Zoo, are preparing a national campaign focused on helping protect amphibians from what could become the largest extinction crisis since that of the dinosaurs.
The steps taken include in-situ and ex-situ programs aimed at restoring their natural habitat and stabilising the populations, developing selection programs and ensuring the existence of healthy animal populations by sheltering them in isolated breeding stations until they can be reintroduced into natural refuges.
The Canadian program
CAZA (Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums), has developed a nationwide program to help save Canada’s endangered amphibians. This involves working with recovery groups as well as taking responsibility for several endangered international species.
The Canadian species included in this CAZA program are:
- The Oregon Spotted Frog
- The Northern Leopard Frog
- The Dusky Salamander
- The Western Chorus Frog
- As well as The Puerto Rican Crested Toad
- And priority species from Cuba, Brazil, Bolivia and Panama (the selection of target species is underway with the assistance of authorities from these countries).
Critical zones
The critical zones where the greatest number of endangered amphibian species can be found are in the Americas. 40% of the amphibian populations from Central and South America are threatened. The hardest hit country is undeniably Panama, having already lost 70% of all its amphibians. Several other critical zones are found in South-Western Asia, Western and Eastern Africa, Oceania and Australia.
Cause of this threat
Scientists agree that the decline in amphibian populations worldwide is caused by several cumulative factors with devastating potential. What are those factors and how do they interact with each other and the amphibians? These are questions to which we have very few answers; it is no surprise that, for most of these species, one of the important causes of this crisis is the destruction of their habitat. There is also pollution and pesticides, the introduction of harmful exotic species and the climate changes. The over harvesting in nature for the pet trade and human consumption are also having a dramatic impact.
The greatest threat: a Mycosis from a Chytrid fungus
The greatest threat is a new fungal infection that originated in South Africa and quickly spread across Asia, Central America, South America and which continues to travel towards the United States and Canada. Chytridiomycosis is the worst disease ever diagnosed in vertebrates as it is capable of striking down a great number of species, taking them to the brink of extinction in a very short period of time. In Panama, an outbreak of Chytridiomycosis alone has caused the loss of 60% of amphibian species. There is presently no known cure for this fungal disease.
If we don’t intervene, this menace might kill between one-third and one-half of the 6,000 amphibian species during our lifetime. The fungus itself, once introduced within a population, can decimate up to 80% of a species within a very short time period, leaving the surviving animals under the survival threshold and susceptible to extinction.
Amphibians include frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and caecilians. Of the 6,000 amphibian species presently inventoried, almost 30% are threatened with extinction. Comparatively, 12% of birds and 23% of mammals are threatened. Extinctions have always been part of evolution and are the result of a changing environment; what is worrisome this time is that it seems that the rhythm of extinctions has accelerated in the past 30 years. By the end of the century, scientists estimate that half the amphibians will have been lost.
The role of amphibians in nature
Amphibians are of the utmost importance to nature. Both prey and predator, they play an important role in maintaining a balance. For example, by eating harmful insects, amphibians are beneficial to agriculture and minimise the transmission of illnesses such as malaria. They control the spread of algae and the level of nitrogen in water; their skin contains substances that have a beneficial effect on human health. We must react to the global decline of amphibian populations: these sentinels are sending us an alarm signal.
Mobilisation of concerned scientists
Scientists compare amphibians to ‘’canaries in a coal mine’’. Miners used to bring canaries with them inside the mines; should a canary suddenly die, it served as a warning that the oxygen level was too low. Like canaries, amphibian species are extremely sensitive to their environment. Their thin skin is very delicate; through it they breathe and drink but it also quickly absorb toxins and other contaminants. Amphibians are among the first to be affected when fatal changes occur in the environment. Next in line will probably be species of birds, mammals and then us, the human race!
Worldwide, conservation organisations and zoological associations, governments and universities are mobilising to deal with this crisis. Two important initiatives have been undertaken: firstly, the creation of the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (ACAP) in the spring of 2007 by a group of IUCN (The International Union for the Conservation of Nature) amphibian specialists. The role of ACAP is to set short and long term goals in order to counter the loss of amphibians, including the identification of priority species and zones, initiating research projects and developing regional emergency teams.
Secondly, Amphibian Ark (AARK), created in collaboration with the IUCN and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). Amphibian Ark is an international network of zoos, aquariums and conservation organisations committed to expanding their amphibian facilities so they can house hundreds of amphibian species at high risk of disappearing because of Chytridiomycosis. By taking these species from nature and preserving them in captivity, it is hoped that one day conditions will allow them to be reintroduced to their original habitat.
''2008: Year of the frog''
''2008: Year of the frog'' will be highlighted by important media campaigns as well as educational and conservation activities. In North America, several institutions, members of the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) as well as the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) are working hard to establish conservation plans and new programs. Granby Zoo is participating in those efforts.
The international campaign includes an elaborate awareness and education component in ''2008: Year of the frog'', aimed at stirring up public support and enlisting its participation in the rescue programs. Zoos and aquariums worldwide are committing to the rescue efforts for as long as it takes to ensure the survival of these amazing amphibians.
Everyone needs to get involved
CAZA and its members are seeking donations from individuals and organisations to fund research, training and education projects, and help ensure the establishment of breeding populations in isolation facilities (using specially designed trailers) located in such establishments as the Toronto Zoo, the Bowmanville Zoo, the Mountain View Conservation Centre in British Columbia, Edmonton’s Valley Zoo and the Calgary Zoo. Each zoo will launch exhaustive advertising and education programs, supported by facilities, exhibits and special events. Visitors will be able to witness the ongoing work to save frogs and other amphibians, learn more about the crisis and what is being done to turn things around, as well as be provided with information about the organisations that are supporting this vital initiative.
Learn more about this crisis by visiting a zoo or aquarium accredited by CAZA; your donation to our conservation fund is a sure way to help.
Steps taken by Granby Zoo
Here are the first steps undertaken by Granby Zoo to actively participate in the protection and conservation of amphibians.
- Theme-based area at Temple
- Kiosk and activities on Conservation Day (July 2008)
- Puerto Rican Crested Toad reproduction program (photo at right)
Steps taken to promote public awareness
- Leap Day (29 février)
- Earth Day/Party for the Planet (April 22)
- Conservation Day (July 2008)
- Taking stock at year’s end
- Zoo Internet site: page dedicated to relevant links
- Logo on brochures (folder and Adventurer’s Guide)
- Julie S. blog articles with Amphibian crisis category
- On-site postings
- Steps undertaken to inform the population
- Amphibians’ kiosk
- Zoorrrrr camp
- On-site amphibian crossing
- Conservation Day (2e)
- Etc.
Useful links
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