Amphibians in Crisis
Amphibians have thrived for over 360 million years, playing a critical role in maintaining the balance of the natural world. Acting as both predator and prey, amphibians are vertebrates distinguished by their ability to live in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. They can be found on every continent of the earth, and count frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and caecilians among their approximately 6,000 known species.
Most amphibians have delicate, thin skin that aid in the animal's ability to breathe. An amphibian's thin skin also makes it particularly sensitive to pollution and changes in climate, a trait that has led amphibians to be dubbed “canaries in the coal mine.” As their population numbers decline it is often in response to environmental conditions that, if left unchecked, will ultimately plague other species.
In addition to the usual threats derived from human-conflict that come in the form of habitat loss, pollution, pesticide use, introduced species and over-collection for pets and for food, amphibians are currently facing an enemy that could wipe out half of their population in our lifetime. No greater mass extinction has been seen since that of the dinosaurs.
The chytrid fungus (pronounced KIT-trid) has been making its way across the planet, leaving thousands of dead and dying amphibians in its wake. Almost always fatal once contracted, chytrid has resulted in the extinction of an estimated 170 amphibian species in the last decade and an overall reduction in the biodiversity of those areas once inhabited by these sensitive creatures.
What Zoos Are Doing
In an effort to raise awareness of the escalating amphibian crisis, zoos and aquariums around the world have joined forces and declared 2008 to be the Year of the Frog. Many zoos and aquariums are utilizing their extensive skills and expertise in captive husbandry to help biologists in range countries set up safe havens for threatened amphibians and in some cases, to develop such programs at their own facilities.
While providing an ark for amphibians, zoos and aquariums will continue to work with field researchers and scientists around the world to find ways of combating the spread of the chytrid fungus and neutralizing its effects in areas already infected. It is hoped that these rescued animals or their offspring will one day be able to be released back into their native habitat.
How You Can Help
There are many ways to get involved in the protection of amphibians.
If you would like to support the international efforts of the Amphibian Ark, a leading organization founded by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Amphibian Specialist Group, you can sign an online petition that will be shared with governments around the world to build support for amphibian action.
Organic gardening and wildlife-friendly backyards are also important to amphibians whether they’re in Central America, Australia or right here at home. The Northeast chapter of Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) has created a backyard guide to helping amphibians and reptiles with lots of great tips on how make your backyard amphibian-friendly.
Of course one of the best ways to protect any kind of animal is to learn about it and then share your knowledge with others. And what better way to learn than through scientific studies! As part of the Year of the Frog, the Philadelphia Zoo has partnered with the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum to join the National Wildlife Federation’s Frogwatch USA program. Frogwatch is a citizen science-based initiative where you’re the researcher, listening for frog calls at a site that you’ve selected based on your own hypothesis that frogs are living there. You learn their calls in advance, go out and listen for them, collect the data and submit it to Frogwatch for analysis.
If registering your own Frogwatch site doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, then you can join us at ours. We’ll be listening for frogs at John Heinz on March 15 and April 2. Both programs will begin at approximately 6:30pm and are weather dependent. For more information or to register, please contact Valerie Peckham.
Related Links