Post by vraev on Jul 5, 2008 12:17:45 GMT -5
2008 has been proclaimed the year of the frog. This is due to a huge crisis that is probably similar in scale to the extinction of the dinosaurs.
There is a fungus known as the chytrid fungus. It clogs the pores in amphibians forcing them to grow thicker and thicker skin. Now since amphibians breathe through their skin.....the thick skin eventually makes them suffocate and die. Now adding to this...there are environmental issues: pollution, habitat destruction, climate change and collection by humans. Frogs are being hit on every side. Now the chytrid fungus has originated in South Africa and currently it is present on every continent. It moves at a terrific speed devestating amphibian species across the boards. Forests have started falling silent. Whole species are dying.
The amphibian ark is a last resort idea to capture the frogs, treat them with anti-fungals and try to breed them in captivity. It may sound to be horrible that we are trying to put all amphibians in captivity..but there is no other way. Evidence shows that this is the only way to safeguard species. The most beautiful of all...the panaman gold frog...the iconic symbol of panama which used to be so numerous as people had to watch where they step in forest to avoid trodding on one of them, is now totally extinct in the wild. It was hit very hard initially by the habitat destruction and collection for pet trade. Now the chytrid has almost finished them off.
The plight of amphibians marks an arrival of another mass extinction. If chytrid is allowed to continue without any intervention we could loose nearly 3000 amphibian species. Amphibians are among the foundations of the ecosystem. Believe it or not...they were here before the dinosaurs..they watched the dinosaurs die and they still lived on. Today, their crisis needs consideration. Chytrid doesn't yet have a cure in the wild....There is no antidote...but the amphibian ark is a group of botanical gardens, zoos etc which have come together to try and rescue how many species they can.
It really breaks my heart as I see the videos of the amphibian plight. The sound of nature is dying. I always feel that we don't realise the value of a being until its gone: Well....if amphibians are gone...the chain reaction will cause insect levels to boom, whole reptiles and mammal levels to fall as food chains collapse.
Apparently they require around 6Mil $. I am trying to do my part by donating 10$ a month. I have already made a donation to the Houston Zoo: Year of the frog for the EVACC facility built in panama. I would like to encourage all you frog lovers to do the same.
Thanks!
varun
PS: you can watch some videos from the link below.
media:
www.amphibianark.org/frog_gallery.html
1) 2008 Year of the frog: Fight against extinction
2) Sir David talks about the year of the frog campaign
There is a fungus known as the chytrid fungus. It clogs the pores in amphibians forcing them to grow thicker and thicker skin. Now since amphibians breathe through their skin.....the thick skin eventually makes them suffocate and die. Now adding to this...there are environmental issues: pollution, habitat destruction, climate change and collection by humans. Frogs are being hit on every side. Now the chytrid fungus has originated in South Africa and currently it is present on every continent. It moves at a terrific speed devestating amphibian species across the boards. Forests have started falling silent. Whole species are dying.
The amphibian ark is a last resort idea to capture the frogs, treat them with anti-fungals and try to breed them in captivity. It may sound to be horrible that we are trying to put all amphibians in captivity..but there is no other way. Evidence shows that this is the only way to safeguard species. The most beautiful of all...the panaman gold frog...the iconic symbol of panama which used to be so numerous as people had to watch where they step in forest to avoid trodding on one of them, is now totally extinct in the wild. It was hit very hard initially by the habitat destruction and collection for pet trade. Now the chytrid has almost finished them off.
The plight of amphibians marks an arrival of another mass extinction. If chytrid is allowed to continue without any intervention we could loose nearly 3000 amphibian species. Amphibians are among the foundations of the ecosystem. Believe it or not...they were here before the dinosaurs..they watched the dinosaurs die and they still lived on. Today, their crisis needs consideration. Chytrid doesn't yet have a cure in the wild....There is no antidote...but the amphibian ark is a group of botanical gardens, zoos etc which have come together to try and rescue how many species they can.
It really breaks my heart as I see the videos of the amphibian plight. The sound of nature is dying. I always feel that we don't realise the value of a being until its gone: Well....if amphibians are gone...the chain reaction will cause insect levels to boom, whole reptiles and mammal levels to fall as food chains collapse.
Apparently they require around 6Mil $. I am trying to do my part by donating 10$ a month. I have already made a donation to the Houston Zoo: Year of the frog for the EVACC facility built in panama. I would like to encourage all you frog lovers to do the same.
Thanks!
varun
PS: you can watch some videos from the link below.
media:
www.amphibianark.org/frog_gallery.html
1) 2008 Year of the frog: Fight against extinction
2) Sir David talks about the year of the frog campaign