Newswise — On Leap Day, February 29th, the Wildlife Conservation Society's (WCS) Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, and other city zoos will raise awareness of the global plight of amphibians by joining the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in welcoming 2008 as the Year of the Frog. Since 1980, scientists believe that at least 120 species of frogs, toads, salamanders and other amphibians have gone extinct; as many as half of the 6,000 remaining species may soon vanish unless immediate action is taken. Habitat loss, climate change, pollution and emergent disease have all contributed to this global extinction crisis. The Year of the Frog shows how the zoo community can play a leading role in bringing awareness to a critical conservation issue, and take an aggressive, hands-on approach to ensuring amphibian survival.
The Wildlife Conservation Society pledged its continuing participation in the Amphibian Ark " a global initiative to save hundreds of critically endangered amphibians from extinction through captive breeding in zoos. These efforts will preserve critically endangered frog species that could eventually be reintroduced into the wild.
At WCS's zoos, several endangered amphibian species are being propagated already, including the Kihansi spray toad, once found only in an isolated river gorge in Tanzania. Though the species is believed extinct in the wild, WCS has been able to breed hundreds of these diminutive frogs in the hope they can one day be reintroduced into a restored ecosystem. Later this year, scientists from Tanzania's University of Dar es Salaam will visit the Bronx Zoo to learn how to breed toads in their homeland. Endangered Puerto Rican crested toads and Wyoming toads propagated at WCS's Central Park Zoo have already been successfully released back into the wild.
The Bronx Zoo will host "Keeper Chats" inside the World of Reptiles Herpetology at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. from Feb. 27th through March 2nd. In addition, visitors can also check out a newly installed video along with graphic displays that highlight the ongoing amphibian crisis, and the lifelike ceramic sculptures of frogs and toads by artist Priscilla Denachi Deichmann. Children will receive amphibian cards and coloring pages and see projected photos of some of the world's most colorful amphibians.
But the stars of the day will be the diverse assortment of rare and colorful amphibians on exhibit which include spotted salamanders, tree frogs, Sonoran Desert toads, poison dart frogs, smooth sided toads, and the critically endangered Panamanian golden frog. The Bronx Zoo plans to add a new resident to the World of Reptiles this spring in the form of the popular coqui frogs from Puerto Rico, and will display amphibians in its Zoo Center building. At present, the zoo is home to more than 40 species of amphibians. To support amphibian awareness, the Zoo's education department will feature frog themes throughout the year in its programs and events.
Other WCS facilities are leaping in too. A frog-themed activity area has opened in the Discovery Center at the Prospect Park Zoo, while an expanded amphibian exhibit is opening at the New York Aquarium. Meanwhile, the Central Park Zoo displays an Amphibian Crisis Center.
The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth. Visit: http://www.wcs.org
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