Frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians are going extinct. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s Red List of Threatened Species estimates that at least one-third of known amphibian species are threatened with extinction, a rate higher than that for birds or mammals. Major threats to amphibians include habitat loss or degradation and the rapidly dispersing infectious disease chytridiomycosis. Managed populations of amphibians may become the only conservation hope for many species faced with imminent extinction.
AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, with their demonstrated expertise in Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Programs, have been called upon to meet this challenge. Once common across Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rican crested toad (Peltophryne lemur) was driven nearly to extinction by human activities. In 1982, under the auspices of the AZA Amphibian Taxonomic Advisory Group (TAG), the Puerto Rican Crested Toad SSP Program began a reintroduction program to breed and release this species into its native habitat. Since then, SSPs for the Wyoming Toad, Panamanian Golden Frog, Harlequin Golden Frog, Dusky Gopher Frog, and Houston Toad have been established to enhance amphibian conservation efforts.
AZA, its Animal Programs and Committees are committed to protecting amphibians. The Amphibian TAG and SSPs work directly with at-risk species, while the Conservation Education Committee developed conservation and education resources, and AZA manages the FrogWatch USA citizen science program.
Amphibian Conservation and Management
AZA’s Amphibian Taxon Advisory Group (ATAG) serves a vital role in helping AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums take strategic, sustainable, and effective actions towards the protection and conservation of amphibians. Some available resources include:
- Action Plan for Ex Situ Amphibian Conservation in the AZA Community - based on workshops facilitated by Amphibian Ark, this document provides AZA facilities with a North American amphibian conservation action plan and lays the groundwork for the Amphibian Regional Collection Plan
- Amphibian Regional Collection Plan - identifies species that could benefit from ex situ conservation programs, how much space should be dedicated to each within AZA-accredited institutions, and recommends in situ conservation strategies. This resource can be downloaded by logging in to the website, navigating to the Animal Programs database by clicking "Animal Programs" in the left-hand menu, clicking "Search Animal Program Documents", and then typing "Amphibian TAG RCP" into the Search Term box.
- Conservation Resource Manual - illustrates the experiences and expertise of AZA colleagues in developing and evaluating domestic and international ex situ breeding and education programs. Additional resources include husbandry protocols, funding opportunities, and key contacts.
- Husbandry Guide / Guía para el Manejo de Anfibios en Cautiverio - provides information about the most successful amphibian husbandry techniques used to care for the species in AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums.
Amphibian-Themed Education Materials
AZA’s Conservation Education Committee, ATAG, and a special task force developed educational curriculum materials, fun family activities, and expert resources to help AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums raise awareness about amphibian declines and engage the public in their conservation efforts. These materials are meant to be used and adapted, as appropriate, for any amphibian-themed educational efforts. Explore these educational materials and resources.
FrogWatch USA
FrogWatch USA is AZA's citizen science program by which volunteers learn about wetlands in their communities and contribute data on the calls of local frogs and toads to a national dataset. The information from thousands of other FrogWatch USA volunteers across the United States is readily available for ongoing analyses to help develop practical strategies for the benefit of these important animals. Read more about FrogWatch USA.
AZA Members Help Amphibians
AZA has developed a series of publications to communicate the conservation-related activities of its accredited members in order to share scientific information, foster a community of support for amphibian conservation, and inspire conservation action. AZA also partnered with the US Fish and Wildlife Service on the Spring 2008 issue of the U.S. Endangered Species Bulletin to share some of these stories.
2015: Amphibian Conservation - 2015 Highlights and Accomplishments
2014: Amphibian Conservation - 2014 Highlights and Accomplishments
2013: Amphibian Conservation - 2013 Highlights and Accomplishments
2012: Amphibian Conservation - 2012 Highlights and Accomplishments
2011: Amphibian Conservation - 2011 Highlights and Accomplishments
2010: Amphibian Conservation - 2010 Highlights and Accomplishments
2009: 3rd Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 1st Quarter | February | January
2008: December | November | October | September | August | July | June | May | April | March | February | January
2007: December | November | October | September | August | July | June
Every year, AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums provide information about their field conservation and science activities to AZA’s Conservation and Research Database. Members enter program updates each year; follow the link and use the search fields to explore how individual AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are helping amphibians and other animals. Read more about the AZA community’s commitment to conservation and science.