From the website:
The amphibians went in two by two… 10/08/2009
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park has built a new refuge for endangered amphibians designed to save entire species from extinction.
The Zoo’s Amphibian Ark species rescue and reintroduction centre will concentrate its work on three geographic areas – Madagascar, Tanzania and Trinidad.
Mike Bungard, Curator of Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates, said: “We aim to save at least three distinct species. Not just help with the work or support the work but actually save them from extinction. It’s an incredible opportunity but a huge responsibility. We have to get it right.”
The building, formerly an interactive education space, has been turned into a bio-secure animal area with public viewing at a cost of £75,000. Mike says the building work is just the beginning:
“It is a complicated project that can’t be rushed. We need to do the right thing for the right species. At this stage I’m not sure how many species the Ark will hold. The amphibian extinction crisis is the greatest species conservation challenge in our history. Out of 6,000 known amphibian species, 50% are threatened or endangered, compared to 10% of mammal species.”
Mike is currently making lists of priority species for each country and is planning fact-finding trips to both Tanzania and Trinidad within the year.
“We are working with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature on Malagasy amphibians and negotiating with partner organisations in all three countries. People and politics can complicate matters - Madagascar is particularly difficult right now with all the political unrest. But the amphibians there really need our help.”
Amphibians are affected by habitat loss, climate change, pollution, pesticides and the deadly chytrid fungus. Unstoppable and untreatable in the wild, the fungus can kill 80% of amphibians within months. The aim is to protect species from the fungus, possibly by taking animals from the wild and then reintroducing them when it is safe to do so.
Amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrates that can live on land but breed and develop into adults in water. Frogs, toads and salamanders are all amphibians.
The move follows on from last year’s EAZA Year of the Frog Campaign, which raised awareness and understanding of the amphibian extinction crisis. Paignton Zoo donated £3,000 to the campaign and pledged, like other zoos, to build amphibian conservation facilities.
Mike: “The world needs amphibians - the skins of amphibians produce substances that kill microbes and viruses, offering us the promise of medical cures for a variety of illnesses. Amphibians also perform important pest population control. They are also fascinating, wondrous creatures.”
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mind you who can blame them as there new home is like a prison cell white walls and climbing them.Just dont stand around in the area for too long or else a new species might evolve 'people cutter ants'
