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JOHANNESBURG ZOO SOUTH AFRICAN FROG
PROJECT
2008 Year of the Frog Kick-off
Worldwide Leapfrog Event Monday, December 31, 2007, 10 a.m. in
The Bandstand.
2008 has been declared the Year of the Frog to raise awareness
of a looming, mass extinction of amphibian species - the most
significant since the dinosaur. In response, the JHB Zoo and
zoos around the world are inviting children and their families
to join in a game of leapfrog on New Year's Eve to ring in the
special year and draw attention to conservation efforts that
would avert the disaster.
Amphibian Ark
Considered "nature's indicators," amphibians are among the first
species to respond to environmental changes and serve as a
warning to other species, including humans. Amphibians also
possess biological secrets that can lead to important medical
advances, and are integral to the food web.
One-third to one-half of all amphibian species is in danger of
disappearing in our lifetime. Amphibian Ark is a campaign
supported by zoos to rescue the most endangered 500 species that
cannot be saved in the wild. It is the most urgent component of
a comprehensive effort to protect the future for amphibians, and
is supported by the IUCN/Species Survival Commission (SSC)
Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, IUCN/SSC Amphibian
Specialist Group, and the World Association of Zoos and
Aquariums (WAZA).
According to the IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species,1,856 of the 5,743 known amphibian species –
almost one in three – are threatened with extinction.
The Johannesburg Zoo’s primary focus would be the captive
propagation of certain South African endangered frogs. The
Johannesburg Zoo has made resources and space available for the
captive propagation of these frogs.
As far as the JHB ZOO can ascertain, most of the endangered
frogs in South Africa have not been bred ex situ and therefore
obtaining information regarding their breeding in captivity is
difficult to find or not available. JHB ZOO will therefore have
to study their natural environment carefully with the in-situ
conservationists’ guidelines.
With the lack of information, JHB ZOO have decided to
concentrate on five species of frog, which are not endangered,
but have similar breeding habits as those that are critically
endangered. Johannesburg Zoo will have to obtain permission and
permits from the regional Nature Conservation Departments.
Once the Zoo have perfected the breeding technique of the common
frogs, the zoo will then apply for permits to attempt to breed
the endangered South African frog species. It may be possible to
start with the endangered species immediately if the Nature
Conservation departments would like us to follow this route.
The five non-endangered species under consideration are as
follows:
Heleophryne natalensis, Breviceps adspersus, Bufo
Gutturalis,Cacosternum boettgeri and Hyperolius marmoratus
Amphibians Need Your Help
A petition will soon be available to sign electronically at
www.amphibianark.org. The petition urges governments and the
United Nations to take steps to protect endangered amphibian
species.
To avert the extinction of the most endangered 500 species,
$50-60 million is needed to help fund regional initiatives such
as workshops, rescues, cooperatively managed centers and
coordination of activities within each region. Donations can be
made at the same website.
For more information please contact Dr Stephen Van Spuy @ 011
646 2000 x 206.
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