2008 Year of the Frog

Croaking, peeping, hopping, leaping!  Frogs and other amphibians add brilliant colors and countless sounds to our world.  Scientists have discovered over 6,000 different species of frogs, toads, salamanders and other amphibians.

But these amazing animals are disappearing.  Over one third of amphibian species could go extinct in our lifetime.

Habitat loss, global climate change and pollution are some of the major threats to amphibians. One immediate threat is a potentially deadly parasitic fungus called amphibian chytrid (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) that is spreading through amphibian populations worldwide.

Zoos and aquariums around the world are working to establish captive breeding populations of threatened amphibians. Simultaneously, scientists are working to understand and lessen the threats to these charismatic creatures.

Visit the BioPark to learn more about amphibians and their conservation:

• Leap Day Activities on Friday, February 29, 10:00am-2:00pm at the Rio Grande Zoo.

 

• Brown Bag Lecture about Amphibian Decline and Conservation on Saturday, March 1 and Thursday, March 6, 12:45-1:30pm in the Education Barn at the Rio Grande Zoo.

 

• Party for the Planet, our Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 19 will include some fun "Year of the Frog" activities at the Rio Grande Zoo.

 

• Keep your eyes and ears open for our native frogs and toads this summer during Bosque Moonlight Hikes on Tuesdays, June 24, July 22, and August 19.

 



 

Woodhouse Toad (Bufo woodhousii)

Photo by Dave Karrmann

Visit these websites to learn more about the problem and its solutions:

• Amphibian Ark

• Association of Zoos and Aquariums
• AmphibiaWeb