2008 Year of the Frog
The world's leading conservation organizations have joined together to declare 2008 the year of the frog.
They hope to raise awareness and funding to save dozens of amphibian species from immediate extinction
Evey person can play a role in " 2008 Year of the Frog",
according to Amphibian Arc, which coordinates the efforts of zoos and scientists around the world.
The Fabulous Adventures of Fred the Frog was not only born on Leap year
but on the "Year of the Frog" as well.
A perfect time to share awarness
(Image courtesy of Amphibian Arc)
Did you know Amphibians are an important component of the global ecosystem, as indicators of environmental health and contributors to human health?
They watched the dinosaurs come and go, but today almost half of them are themselves threatened with extinction. Addressing the amphibian extinction crisis represents the greatest species conservation challenge in the history of humanity.
The global conservation community has formulated a response in the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan, and an integral part of that response is the Amphibian Ark, in which select species that would otherwise go extinct will be maintained in captivity until they can be secured in the wild. Without immediate captive management as a stopgap component of an integrated conservation effort, hundreds of species could become extinct
Join the 2008 Year of the Frog global campaign. Its main goal is to generate public awareness and understanding of the amphibian extinction crisis. The funds raised from this worldwide campaign will help support AArk coordination activities and finance regional initiatives such as rescues, training workshops, and cooperatively managed centres. It will also ensure the sustainability of surviving populations by creating a cash fund that will extend far beyond 2008.
| 10 good reasons to get involved The main goals for the 2008 YOTF Campaign are:To engage the public in amphibian conservation and gain financial support for AArk activities. To create partnerships among Zoos, Aquariums, Botanical Gardens, private and public institutions (universities, etc) around the world to ensure the global survival of amphibians. To raise funds for implementing the ex situ aspects of the ACAP (Amphibian Conservation Action Plan). To highlight ways in which the public can make positive contributions to conservation through activities in their daily lives. To draw the attention of zoos towards the importance of amphibian ex situ conservation. To stimulate a sustained and long-term interest in amphibian conservation and related interactions with the wider environment. To raise increased awareness about the protection of biodiversity through the conservation of amphibians. To strengthen zoo communities as fund raisers and global promoters of conservation.
Ten very good reasons to get involved ! 1. Amphibian species are becoming extinct at a pace faster that anything we have experienced.
2. Nearly one third of all amphibian species are threatened.
3. Many people do not know that amphibians are declining and how threatened they are.
4. Amphibians are indicators of environmental health, important components of ecosystems.
5. Amphibians are contributors to human health they provide vital biomedicines, including compounds that are being refined for analgesics and antibiotics.
6. Amphibians are suitable for captive breeding programs and if every zoo in the world rescues one species, the goal can be achieved.
7. This is a unique challenge to prove that zoos and aquariums and botanical gardens are valid conservation partners. Zoos in particular play an important role in providing ex-situ breeding grounds for immediate conservation action
8. The amphibian extinction crisis provides an opportunity to engage your local community.
9. Success at this global collaboration lays the groundwork for other global collaborations for conservation.
10. The WAZA members have a unique opportunity to join a global conservation Campaign.
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To find out more go to:
http://www.amphibianark.org/
Let's help save the frogs from extinction
