“Kermit the Frog is sick.” - E.O. Wilson
Once upon a time…about 360 million years ago - the first amphibians appeared on earth. Their closest ancestors were fishes with fleshy, lobed fins that looked like legs. They were so successful for more than 120 million years that these periods – the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian – are known as the Age of Amphibians. Today, these amazing creatures – the first vertebrates to inhabit land – are facing the largest mass extinction since the disappearance of the dinosaurs - with one-third to one-half of the planet’s 6,000 amphibian species (frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians) in danger of disappearing forever. The causes of this unfolding crisis must be laid firmly at the doorstep of humans.
During 2008, the Amphibian Ark is leading zoos, botanical gardens and aquariums in a globally coordinated public awareness campaign “The Year of the Frog.” The main goal of this campaign is to generate public awareness and understanding of the amphibian extinction crisis which represents the greatest species conservation challenge in the history of humanity.
YOU CAN HELP!!!
LEARN-GET INVOLVED-LEAD THE WAY
Visit www.amphibianark.org to discover all of the ways you can help save amphibians. Sign the petition – make a donation – organize a Year of the Frog event.
The goal of the 2008 Year of the Frog campaign is to raise awareness of the crisis among media, educators, corporations, philanthropists, governments, and the general public, and to generate the funding needed to implement ACAP. The Amphibian Ark component alone will cost $50-$60 million.
Five for Frogs Campaign Launched
Five for Frogs is a fun five-month campaign beginning in May, 2008. The “pay it forward” spirit asks kids and adults to do something to help frogs, salamanders, and other amphibians through acts of kindness involving the number “5”. Go to www.amphibianark.org/50ways.htm for fact sheets, suggested activities and more!
Attention educators! Join the international efforts to save amphibians. Visit Help-A-Frog to learn how you and your students can get involved.
Other Useful Links
In support of amphibian conservation, the Columbus Zoo ...
- provides financial support to the Amphibian Ark through our Conservation Fund,
- supports Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, (PARC)
- supports Project Golden Frog,
- is a partner in the Hellbender Conservation, Research and Captive Breeding Program based at the WILDS,
- is a partner in the newly-formed Captina Creek Coalition – working to protect habitat for the endangered hellbender salamander,
- supports amphibian research and conservation projects in the U.S., Belize, and Bolivia through grants from the Conservation Fund,
- will establish two biologically-secure quarantine facilities to maintain and breed critically endangered amphibians,
- is offering Year of the Frog merchandise in the Sokoni Gift Shop – proceeds benefit the Amphibian Ark and
- will open an amphibian exhibit on May 17, 2008, in the Education Building…see the Golfodulcean poison frog, the Sonoran desert toad, and the European fire salamander – and learn all about the world’s amphibians!