CAZA’s Year of the Frog Campaign Goals

CAZA and its members will take the following multi-pronged approach to achieve their goals for "Year of the Frog".

Amphibians are severely affected by habitat loss, climate change, pollution and pesticides, introduced species, over-collection for food and pets, and diseases.

While habitat destruction is a major threat, the most immediate threat is a parasitic fungus called amphibian chytrid, a disease that is deadly to hundreds of amphibian species. Chytrid fungus has been associated with amphibian die-offs on every amphibian-inhabited continent. While it appears the chytrid fungus has been present in areas of Canada, the extent of its distribution is unknown. Given the disease’s devastating impact in other parts of the world, it is critical to determine the extent to which it is found in Canadian amphibian populations. In addition to chytrid fungus, a number of other health issues can strike amphibians. As part of its Year of the Frog program, CAZA will create a fund to support recovery teams conducting health monitoring programs.

Supporting Recovery Teams

Many amphibians in Canada face environmental challenges – loss of habitat, small populations and potential disease threats are all ongoing problems. CAZA and its members will support efforts to enhance survival of all amphibians and establish a proactive program to support recovery team efforts.

Building Capacity to Help Amphibians over the Long Term

The challenge of amphibian extinction is a long-term issue that cannot be fully addressed in a single year. Increasingly, the zoo community will need to provide physical resources and trained staff to house and manage assurance or rescue populations of amphibians that could be either Canadian or international in origin. During the Year of the Frog, CAZA and its members will focus their efforts on creating these resources for 2008 and into the future.

Although the amphibian crisis may seem overwhelming, average Canadians can take direct personal action to influence the well-being of amphibians. Unlike many endangered or threatened animals found in small regions of the country, amphibians have the distinction of being found in every part of Canada. 

How you can take action!

While there are a number of Canadian amphibian species that need our support, the greatest problem lies in other parts of the world – specifically in tropical and subtropical regions. 

As part of the Amphibian Ark program, zoos and aquariums in North America are providing support for species conservation in Central and South America. It is anticipated that initial work will involve protecting species in their countries of origin. However, with limited resources in the countries that are home to these species, it could become necessary for CAZA members to establish rescue populations in Canada. Current captive breeding and release programs, such as the Puerto Rican crested toad, will receive increased support from CAZA members.