DOCSLIB.ORG

ARAZPA YOTF Infopack.Pdf

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
ARAZPA YOTF Infopack.Pdf ARAZPA 2008 Year of the Frog Campaign Information pack ARAZPA 2008 Year of the Frog Campaign Printing: The ARAZPA 2008 Year of the Frog Campaign pack was generously supported by Madman Printing Phone: +61 3 9244 0100 Email: [email protected] Front cover design: Patrick Crawley, www.creepycrawleycartoons.com Mobile: 0401 316 827 Email: [email protected] Front cover photo: Pseudophryne pengilleyi, Northern Corroboree Frog. Photo courtesy of Lydia Fucsko. Printed on 100% recycled stock 2 ARAZPA 2008 Year of the Frog Campaign Contents Foreword.........................................................................................................................................5 Foreword part II ………………………………………………………………………………………… ...6 Introduction.....................................................................................................................................9 Section 1: Why A Campaign?....................................................................................................11 The Connection Between Man and Nature........................................................................11 Man’s Effect on Nature ......................................................................................................11 Frogs Matter ......................................................................................................................11 The Problem ......................................................................................................................12 The Reason .......................................................................................................................12 The Solution.......................................................................................................................12 Getting The Word Out........................................................................................................13 A Further Purpose .............................................................................................................13 The ARAZPA 2008 Year of the Frog Campaign................................................................14 Goals .................................................................................................................................14 Key Messages ...................................................................................................................14 Long-Term Partnerships ....................................................................................................16 Ten Good Reasons to Join the Campaign.........................................................................17 Section 2: ARAZPA Campaign Guidelines...............................................................................19 Participation and Registration............................................................................................19 Year of the Frog Registration Form ...................................................................................20 Use of Images....................................................................................................................21 Use of Logos......................................................................................................................22 Fundraising Money Transfer Details..................................................................................22 Sharing Information and Materials.....................................................................................23 Awards...............................................................................................................................23 Campaign Contacts ...........................................................................................................24 Section 3: Global Communications and Fundraising Plan.....................................................25 Communications and Fundraising Overview .....................................................................25 Amphibian Ark 2008 Year of the Frog Communications Plan............................................27 Amphibian Ark Communications Tools..............................................................................30 Global Amphibian Ark Events ............................................................................................33 Other Programs and Activities ...........................................................................................34 Amphibian Ark Fundraising Plan........................................................................................35 3 ARAZPA 2008 Year of the Frog Campaign Section 4: How Will My Money Be Used...................................................................................37 Section 5: Suggested Campaign Activities..............................................................................39 PR and Marketing ..............................................................................................................39 Education...........................................................................................................................40 Fundraising ........................................................................................................................41 Section 6: Merchandise..............................................................................................................45 Section 7: Amphibians in Australasia ......................................................................................47 Australasian Success Stories ............................................................................................47 Amphibians in ARAZPA institutions...................................................................................51 Section 8: Amphibian Information ............................................................................................61 Introduction ........................................................................................................................61 Amphibians in Danger .......................................................................................................62 Threats...............................................................................................................................62 Red List Status ..................................................................................................................63 Extinctions .........................................................................................................................64 Status by Taxonomic Group ..............................................................................................64 Frightening Statistics!.........................................................................................................68 Amphibians as indicators of environmental health and their contribution to humanity ......68 Geographic Patterns..........................................................................................................69 Geography of Threatened Species....................................................................................71 Patterns of Endemism........................................................................................................78 Chytrid Fungus ..................................................................................................................81 Amphibians Role in Culture and Religion ..........................................................................82 Appendices .................................................................................................................................87 1. Amphibian Ark and the 2008 Year of the Frog Campaign……………….......................87 2. The Amphibian Ark……………………………………………………………………………94 3. Australasian Frog Species………………………………………………………………....101 4 ARAZPA 2008 Year of the Frog Campaign Foreword Almost everyone can recognise frogs and toads. They are those extraordinary vertebrate animals which change from egg to adult by undergoing metamorphosis. This remarkable process played a crucial part in these animals’ pioneering invasion of the land. It demonstrates evolution compressed into just a few weeks and it sparks our imagination. Today amphibians can be found in enormous variety and occupy a wide range of water and land habitats – except for the oceans and the frozen polar regions. They are so familiar to most people that they have become part of the myths, legends, and folk tales of many cultures. And there is still much more for us to learn about them for new species are being discovered even today. Yet their habitats are being destroyed at such a speed that now many species may disappear before we even discover that they exist. Infections of chytrid fungus, for which there is no known cure, are today spreading rapidly and threatening entire amphibian communities. There is thus the real possibility that much of an entire category of animals may become extinct worldwide – unless we prepare to act quickly. Captive breeding has been shown by the scientific community to be one of the most important and appropriate ways to slow down the effects of this crisis. Selected species, bred in favourable ex situ conditions, can multiply and prosper to such an extent that populations can be released into secure environments in the wild. The IUCN/SSC Amphibian and Conservation Breeding Specialist Groups and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums have therefore launched The Amphibian Ark to support
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Cravens Peak Scientific Study Report
    Geography Monograph Series No. 13 Cravens Peak Scientific Study Report The Royal Geographical Society of Queensland Inc. Brisbane, 2009 The Royal Geographical Society of Queensland Inc. is a non-profit organization that promotes the study of Geography within educational, scientific, professional, commercial and broader general communities. Since its establishment in 1885, the Society has taken the lead in geo- graphical education, exploration and research in Queensland. Published by: The Royal Geographical Society of Queensland Inc. 237 Milton Road, Milton QLD 4064, Australia Phone: (07) 3368 2066; Fax: (07) 33671011 Email: [email protected] Website: www.rgsq.org.au ISBN 978 0 949286 16 8 ISSN 1037 7158 © 2009 Desktop Publishing: Kevin Long, Page People Pty Ltd (www.pagepeople.com.au) Printing: Snap Printing Milton (www.milton.snapprinting.com.au) Cover: Pemberton Design (www.pembertondesign.com.au) Cover photo: Cravens Peak. Photographer: Nick Rains 2007 State map and Topographic Map provided by: Richard MacNeill, Spatial Information Coordinator, Bush Heritage Australia (www.bushheritage.org.au) Other Titles in the Geography Monograph Series: No 1. Technology Education and Geography in Australia Higher Education No 2. Geography in Society: a Case for Geography in Australian Society No 3. Cape York Peninsula Scientific Study Report No 4. Musselbrook Reserve Scientific Study Report No 5. A Continent for a Nation; and, Dividing Societies No 6. Herald Cays Scientific Study Report No 7. Braving the Bull of Heaven; and, Societal Benefits from Seasonal Climate Forecasting No 8. Antarctica: a Conducted Tour from Ancient to Modern; and, Undara: the Longest Known Young Lava Flow No 9. White Mountains Scientific Study Report No 10.
    [Show full text]
  • Amphibian Abundance and Detection Trends During a Large Flood in a Semi-Arid Floodplain Wetland
    Herpetological Conservation and Biology 11:408–425. Submitted: 26 January 2016; Accepted: 2 September 2016; Published: 16 December 2016. Amphibian Abundance and Detection Trends During a Large Flood in a Semi-Arid Floodplain Wetland Joanne F. Ocock1,4, Richard T. Kingsford1, Trent D. Penman2, and Jodi J.L. Rowley1,3 1Centre for Ecosystem Science, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, 2052, Australia 2Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires, Institute of Conservation Biology and Environmental Management, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales 2522, Australia 3Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 6 College St, Sydney, New South Wales 2010, Australia 4Corresponding author, email: [email protected] Abstract.—Amphibian abundance and occupancy are often reduced in regulated river systems near dams, but com- paratively little is known about how they are affected on floodplain wetlands downstream or the effects of actively managed flows. We assessed frog diversity in the Macquarie Marshes, a semi-arid floodplain wetland of conserva- tion significance, identifying environmental variables that might explain abundances and detection of species. We collected relative abundance data of 15 amphibian species at 30 sites over four months, coinciding with a large natural flood. We observed an average of 39.9 ± (SE) 4.3 (range, 0-246) individuals per site survey, over 47 survey nights. Three non-burrowing, ground-dwelling species were most abundant at temporarily flooded sites with low- growing aquatic vegetation (e.g., Limnodynastes tasmaniensis, Limnodynastes fletcheri, Crinia parinsignifera). Most arboreal species (e.g., Litoria caerulea) were more abundant in wooded habitat, regardless of water permanency.
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Emerging Infectious Diseases on Amphibians: a Review of Experimental Studies
    diversity Review Effects of Emerging Infectious Diseases on Amphibians: A Review of Experimental Studies Andrew R. Blaustein 1,*, Jenny Urbina 2 ID , Paul W. Snyder 1, Emily Reynolds 2 ID , Trang Dang 1 ID , Jason T. Hoverman 3 ID , Barbara Han 4 ID , Deanna H. Olson 5 ID , Catherine Searle 6 ID and Natalie M. Hambalek 1 1 Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; [email protected] (P.W.S.); [email protected] (T.D.); [email protected] (N.M.H.) 2 Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; [email protected] (J.U.); [email protected] (E.R.) 3 Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; [email protected] 4 Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, NY 12545, USA; [email protected] 5 US Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; [email protected] 6 Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; [email protected] * Correspondence [email protected]; Tel.: +1-541-737-5356 Received: 25 May 2018; Accepted: 27 July 2018; Published: 4 August 2018 Abstract: Numerous factors are contributing to the loss of biodiversity. These include complex effects of multiple abiotic and biotic stressors that may drive population losses. These losses are especially illustrated by amphibians, whose populations are declining worldwide. The causes of amphibian population declines are multifaceted and context-dependent. One major factor affecting amphibian populations is emerging infectious disease. Several pathogens and their associated diseases are especially significant contributors to amphibian population declines.
    [Show full text]
  • Endangered! Working to Save Animals at Risk Rick Wilkinson ISBN 9781865086644 Recommended for Ages 8 - 14
    BOOK PUBLISHERS Teachers Notes (Middle Years) by Janet Anderson Endangered! Working to save animals at risk Rick Wilkinson ISBN 9781865086644 Recommended for ages 8 - 14 These notes may be reproduced free of charge for use and study within schools but they may not be reproduced (either in whole or in part) and offered for commercial sale. Introductory Activities ...................................... 2 Concept Map: The Zoo .................................. 2 Glossary Jigsaw ........................................... 2 Write a Definition: Safe Havens ..................... 2 Dictagloss: Genetic Diversity ......................... 3 Activities that Focus on the Animals................... 3 Make a Database.......................................... 3 Role Play ..................................................... 4 Wanted Poster ............................................. 5 Posters and Brochures .................................. 5 Hot Seat ..................................................... 5 Design an Enclosure ..................................... 6 Animal Masquerade ...................................... 7 Activities Related to the Book ............................ 7 Melbourne Zoo: Kits for Schools..................... 7 Australia and Endangered Species.................. 8 Extinction Timeline....................................... 9 Think Globally Act Locally.............................. 9 Identifying Habitats in Local Areas ................. 10 Zoo Visits with Melbourne Zoo Discovery and Learning Dept.......................................
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation Advice and Included This Species in the Critically Endangered Category, Effective from 04/07/2019
    THREATENED SPECIES SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE Established under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 The Minister approved this conservation advice and included this species in the Critically Endangered category, effective from 04/07/2019. Conservation Advice Cophixalus neglectus (Neglected Nursery Frog) Taxonomy Conventionally accepted as Cophixalus neglectus (Zweifel, 1962). Summary of assessment Conservation status Critically Endangered: Criterion 2 B1 (a),(b)(i,ii,iii,v) The highest category for which Cophixalus neglectus is eligible to be listed is Critically Endangered. Cophixalus neglectus has been found to be eligible for listing under the following categories: Criterion 2: B1 (a),(b)(i,ii,iii,v): Critically Endangered Cophixalus neglectus has been found to be eligible for listing under the Critically Endangered category. Species can be listed as threatened under state and territory legislation. For information on the listing status of this species under relevant state or territory legislation, see http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/sprat.pl Reason for conservation assessment by the Threatened Species Scientific Committee This advice follows assessment of new information provided to the Committee to list Cophixalus neglectus. Public consultation Notice of the proposed amendment and a consultation document was made available for public comment for 30 business days between 7 September 2018 and 22 October 2018. Any comments received that were relevant to the survival of the species were considered by the Committee as part of the assessment process. Species Information Description The Neglected Nursery Frog is a member of the family Microhylidae. The body is smooth, brown or orange-brown above, sometimes with darker flecks on the back and a narrow black bar below a faint supratympanic fold, and there is occasionally a narrow pale vertebral line.
    [Show full text]
  • Amphibian Neuropeptides: Isolation, Sequence Determination and Bioactivity
    Amphibian Neuropeptides: Isolation, Sequence Determination and Bioactivity A Thesis submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Chemistry by Vita Marie Maselli B.Sc. (Hons) July 2006 Preface ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Contents Abstract viii Statement of Originality x Acknowledgements xi List of Figures xii List of Tables xv The 20 Common Amino Acids xvi Chapter 1- Amphibians and their Peptides 1 1.1 Amphibian Peptides 1 1.1a Amphibians 1 1.1b The Role of Anuran Peptides 2 1.2 The Pharmacology of Peptides 4 1.2a Neuropeptides 5 1.2b Hormonal Peptides 7 1.2c Antibacterial Peptides 8 1.2d Anticancer Agents 9 1.2e Antifungal Peptides 9 1.2f Antimalarial Peptides 9 1.2g Pheromones 10 1.2h Miscellaneous Peptides 10 1.3 Peptide Biosynthesis 11 1.4 Methodology 12 1.4a Collection of Frog Secretions 12 1.4b Analysis by High Performance Liquid Chromatography 13 1.4c Mass Spectrometry 14 1.4d Q-TOF 2 Hybrid Quadrupole Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer 15 ii Preface ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 1.5 Peptide Sequencing 18 1.5a Positive and Negative Ion Mass Spectrometry 18 1.5b Automated Edman Sequencing 21 1.5c Enzyme Digestion 22 1.5d Determination of the C-terminal End Group 23 1.6 Bioactivity Testing 24 Chapter 2- Studies of Skin Secretions from the Crinia genus 2.1 Introduction 25 2.1a General 25 2.1b Cyclic Peptides 29 2.2 Host-Defence Compounds from Crinia riparia 30 2.2a Results 30 2.2.1a Isolation
    [Show full text]
  • Draft Animal Keepers Species List
    Revised NSW Native Animal Keepers’ Species List Draft © 2017 State of NSW and Office of Environment and Heritage With the exception of photographs, the State of NSW and Office of Environment and Heritage are pleased to allow this material to be reproduced in whole or in part for educational and non-commercial use, provided the meaning is unchanged and its source, publisher and authorship are acknowledged. Specific permission is required for the reproduction of photographs. The Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) has compiled this report in good faith, exercising all due care and attention. No representation is made about the accuracy, completeness or suitability of the information in this publication for any particular purpose. OEH shall not be liable for any damage which may occur to any person or organisation taking action or not on the basis of this publication. Readers should seek appropriate advice when applying the information to their specific needs. All content in this publication is owned by OEH and is protected by Crown Copyright, unless credited otherwise. It is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0), subject to the exemptions contained in the licence. The legal code for the licence is available at Creative Commons. OEH asserts the right to be attributed as author of the original material in the following manner: © State of New South Wales and Office of Environment and Heritage 2017. Published by: Office of Environment and Heritage 59 Goulburn Street, Sydney NSW 2000 PO Box A290,
    [Show full text]
  • The Impact of Anchored Phylogenomics and Taxon Sampling on Phylogenetic Inference in Narrow-Mouthed Frogs (Anura, Microhylidae)
    Cladistics Cladistics (2015) 1–28 10.1111/cla.12118 The impact of anchored phylogenomics and taxon sampling on phylogenetic inference in narrow-mouthed frogs (Anura, Microhylidae) Pedro L.V. Pelosoa,b,*, Darrel R. Frosta, Stephen J. Richardsc, Miguel T. Rodriguesd, Stephen Donnellane, Masafumi Matsuif, Cristopher J. Raxworthya, S.D. Bijug, Emily Moriarty Lemmonh, Alan R. Lemmoni and Ward C. Wheelerj aDivision of Vertebrate Zoology (Herpetology), American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA; bRichard Gilder Graduate School, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA; cHerpetology Department, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia; dDepartamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociencias,^ Universidade de Sao~ Paulo, Rua do Matao,~ Trav. 14, n 321, Cidade Universitaria, Caixa Postal 11461, CEP 05422-970, Sao~ Paulo, Sao~ Paulo, Brazil; eCentre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia; fGraduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; gSystematics Lab, Department of Environmental Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India; hDepartment of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA; iDepartment of Scientific Computing, Florida State University, Dirac Science Library, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4120, USA; jDivision of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024, USA Accepted 4 February 2015 Abstract Despite considerable progress in unravelling the phylogenetic relationships of microhylid frogs, relationships among subfami- lies remain largely unstable and many genera are not demonstrably monophyletic.
    [Show full text]
  • Australia-15-Index.Pdf
    © Lonely Planet 1091 Index Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Adelaide 724-44, 724, 728, 731 ABBREVIATIONS Centre 848 activities 732-3 ACT Australian Capital Wigay Aboriginal Culture Park 183 accommodation 735-7 Territory Aboriginal peoples 95, 292, 489, 720, children, travel with 733-4 NSW New South Wales 810-12, 896-7, 1026 drinking 740-1 NT Northern Territory art 55, 142, 223, 823, 874-5, 1036 emergency services 725 books 489, 818 entertainment 741-3 Qld Queensland culture 45, 489, 711 festivals 734-5 SA South Australia festivals 220, 479, 814, 827, 1002 food 737-40 Tas Tasmania food 67 history 719-20 INDEX Vic Victoria history 33-6, 95, 267, 292, 489, medical services 726 WA Western Australia 660, 810-12 shopping 743 land rights 42, 810 sights 727-32 literature 50-1 tourist information 726-7 4WD 74 music 53 tours 734 hire 797-80 spirituality 45-6 travel to/from 743-4 Fraser Island 363, 369 Aboriginal rock art travel within 744 A Arnhem Land 850 walking tour 733, 733 Abercrombie Caves 215 Bulgandry Aboriginal Engraving Adelaide Hills 744-9, 745 Aboriginal cultural centres Site 162 Adelaide Oval 730 Aboriginal Art & Cultural Centre Burrup Peninsula 992 Adelaide River 838, 840-1 870 Cape York Penninsula 479 Adels Grove 435-6 Aboriginal Cultural Centre & Keep- Carnarvon National Park 390 Adnyamathanha 799 ing Place 209 Ewaninga 882 Afghan Mosque 262 Bangerang Cultural Centre 599 Flinders Ranges 797 Agnes Water 383-5 Brambuk Cultural Centre 569 Gunderbooka 257 Aileron 862 Ceduna Aboriginal Arts & Culture Kakadu 844-5, 846 air travel Centre
    [Show full text]
  • Water Balance of Field-Excavated Aestivating Australian Desert Frogs
    3309 The Journal of Experimental Biology 209, 3309-3321 Published by The Company of Biologists 2006 doi:10.1242/jeb.02393 Water balance of field-excavated aestivating Australian desert frogs, the cocoon- forming Neobatrachus aquilonius and the non-cocooning Notaden nichollsi (Amphibia: Myobatrachidae) Victoria A. Cartledge1,*, Philip C. Withers1, Kellie A. McMaster1, Graham G. Thompson2 and S. Don Bradshaw1 1Zoology, School of Animal Biology, MO92, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia and 2Centre for Ecosystem Management, Edith Cowan University, 100 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Western Australia 6027, Australia *Author for correspondence (e-mail: [email protected]) Accepted 19 June 2006 Summary Burrowed aestivating frogs of the cocoon-forming approaching that of the plasma. By contrast, non-cocooned species Neobatrachus aquilonius and the non-cocooning N. aquilonius from the dune swale were fully hydrated, species Notaden nichollsi were excavated in the Gibson although soil moisture levels were not as high as calculated Desert of central Australia. Their hydration state (osmotic to be necessary to maintain water balance. Both pressure of the plasma and urine) was compared to the species had similar plasma arginine vasotocin (AVT) moisture content and water potential of the surrounding concentrations ranging from 9.4 to 164·pg·ml–1, except for soil. The non-cocooning N. nichollsi was consistently found one cocooned N. aquilonius with a higher concentration of in sand dunes. While this sand had favourable water 394·pg·ml–1. For both species, AVT showed no relationship potential properties for buried frogs, the considerable with plasma osmolality over the lower range of plasma spatial and temporal variation in sand moisture meant osmolalities but was appreciably increased at the highest that frogs were not always in positive water balance with osmolality recorded.
    [Show full text]
  • Persistence in Peripheral Refugia Promotes Phenotypic Divergence and Speciation in a Rainforest Frog
    The University of Chicago Persistence in Peripheral Refugia Promotes Phenotypic Divergence and Speciation in a Rainforest Frog. Author(s): Conrad J. Hoskin, Maria Tonione, Megan Higgie, Jason B. MacKenzie, Stephen E. Williams, Jeremy VanDerWal, and Craig Moritz Source: The American Naturalist, Vol. 178, No. 5 (November 2011), pp. 561-578 Published by: The University of Chicago Press for The American Society of Naturalists Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/662164 . Accessed: 24/04/2014 19:38 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp . JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email protected]. The University of Chicago Press, The American Society of Naturalists, The University of Chicago are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to The American Naturalist. http://www.jstor.org This content downloaded from 150.203.51.129 on Thu, 24 Apr 2014 19:38:35 PM All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions vol. 178, no. 5 the american naturalist november 2011 Persistence in Peripheral Refugia Promotes Phenotypic Divergence and Speciation in a Rainforest Frog Conrad J. Hoskin,1,*,†,‡ Maria Tonione,2,* Megan Higgie,1,‡ Jason B. MacKenzie,2,§ Stephen E. Williams,3 Jeremy VanDerWal,3 and Craig Moritz2 1.
    [Show full text]
  • ARAZPA Amphibian Action Plan
    Appendix 1 to Murray, K., Skerratt, L., Marantelli, G., Berger, L., Hunter, D., Mahony, M. and Hines, H. 2011. Guidelines for minimising disease risks associated with captive breeding, raising and restocking programs for Australian frogs. A report for the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. ARAZPA Amphibian Action Plan Compiled by: Graeme Gillespie, Director Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria; Russel Traher, Amphibian TAG Convenor, Curator Healesville Sanctuary Chris Banks, Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria. February 2007 1 1. Background Amphibian species across the world have declined at an alarming rate in recent decades. According to the IUCN at least 122 species have gone extinct since 1980 and nearly one third of the world’s near 6,000 amphibian species are classified as threatened with extinction, placing the entire class at the core of the current biodiversity crisis (IUCN, 2006). Australasia too has experienced significant declines; several Australian species are considered extinct and nearly 25% of the remainder are threatened with extinction, while all four species native to New Zealand are threatened. Conventional causes of biodiversity loss, habitat destruction and invasive species, are playing a major role in these declines. However, emergent disease and climate change are strongly implicated in many declines and extinctions. These factors are now acting globally, rapidly and, most disturbingly, in protected and near pristine areas. Whilst habitat conservation and mitigation of threats in situ are essential, for many taxa the requirement for some sort of ex situ intervention is mounting. In response to this crisis there have been a series of meetings organised by the IUCN (World Conservation Union), WAZA (World Association of Zoos & Aquariums) and CBSG (Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, of the IUCN Species Survival Commission) around the world to discuss how the zoo community can and should respond.
    [Show full text]