LEAP INTO THE YEAR OF THE FROG

2008 is the International Year of the Frog. Amphibians are in crisis and are disappearing across the globe at a rate never seen before. Addressing this crisis is one of the greatest conservation challenges of our time and is being undertaken across the world by Amphibian Ark (AArk).

The Australian Reptile Park has pledged to support this mammoth conservation challenge by raising a minimum of $10,000 towards the Australian goal of $400,000 and a global goal of $60 million.

The main aim of AArk is to rescue priority endangered species, placing them into “protective custody” in dedicated facilities at zoos and aquariums for safekeeping and breeding until the threats to wild populations can be neutralised.

Liz Vella who is the Head Reptile Keeper from the Australian Reptile Park and co-ordinator of the Year of the Frog says that habitat degradation, pollution, introduced species and of course climate change are major causes for this crisis. “However, the greatest concern is a parasitic fungus which is lethal to hundreds of amphibian species,” says Ms Vella.

Australian Reptile Park General Manager Mary Rayner says the Park will be hosting numerous fundraising events and awareness activities throughout 2008.