Amphibian Annual Report
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amphibian survival alliance Annual Report FY2018 saving amphibians together © Robin Moore www.amphibians.org 1 The Amphibian Survival Alliance would like to give special to thanks the following organizations and individuals: This report and the work of ASA is dedicated to the memory of Dr. George B. Rabb (1930–2017). www.amphibians.org 2 Table of Contents Acronyms and Abbreviations 4 A Message from the Amphibian Survival Alliance 5 Introduction 6 News from the ASA Partnership 8 Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group Detroit Zoological Society Defenders of Wildlife Endangered Wildlife Trust Global Wildlife Conservation Rainforest Trust Reptile, Amphibian and Fish Conservation the Netherlands Synchronicity Earth Zoological Society of London News from the ASA Secretariat 25 General Amphibian Diseases and Disease Mitigation Key Biodiversity Areas Communications News from ASA Advisors 31 Amphibian Ark IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group Annual expenditure 34 Donor acknowledgment 37 Global Council 39 ASA Secretariat 40 ASA Partners 41 www.amphibians.org 3 Acronyms and Abbreviations Amphibian Ark AArk Amphibian Red List Authority ARLA Amphibian Specialist Group ASG Amphibian Survival Alliance ASA Amphibian Survival Alliance Global Council ASA GC Conservation Planning Specialist Group CPSG Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Durrell European Association of Zoos and Aquaria EAZA Endangered Wildlife Trust EWT Global Wildlife Conservation GWC Key Biodiversity Areas KBA Madagascar Flora and Fauna MFG Rainforest Trust RT Reptile, Amphibian and Fish Conservation the Netherlands RAVON Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute SCBI Synchronicity Earth SE Zoological Society of London ZSL www.amphibians.org 4 A Message from the Amphibian Survival Alliance The Amphibian Survival Alliance (ASA) Moving forward, it is our hope that the ASA launched in 2011, and has since built a can further catalyze internal collaborations global alliance of partners dedicated to within the partnership, but also externally, developing a better world for amphibians with the ability to bring in new partners through coordinated conservation action. whose expertise complements and ASA promotes and coordinates the enhances that of the existing partnership implementation of conservation actions and can bring innovation and additional for amphibians through an active, growing, positive change to amphibian conservation. engaged, committed and collaborative The pages of this report detail some of partnership around the world. The great the remarkable variety and energy of our need for this endeavour is reflected in partners’ responses to the amphibian the rate of loss of amphibian populations decline crisis. It is our honour and privilege globally, and we face a challenging future to shine a light on these endeavours, and as we strive to reverse these trajectories. we will undoubtedly continue to find and support new partners to strengthen this The ASA has been going through a re- alliance over time. structuring period since 2016, having first developed a strategic plan for 2017– This annual report is dedicated to the 2021 to help guide ASA’s actions in this memory of Dr. George B. Rabb (1930–2017), timeframe. Using the ASA strategic plan our mentor, colleague, and staunchest as a foundation, we have continued on supporter. It is fair to say that without this re-structuring route in 2017–2018, George there would be no ASA. It is our working to strengthen both governance and duty—thanks to George’s inspiration—to partnership foundations. ASA is now poised continue his legacy in the conservation of to start a new and revitalized period, with the world’s amphibians and their habitats.. solid governance processes in place and with the ability to grow the partnership in Ariadne Angulo, PhD an informed, strategic and targeted way. Interim Executive Director, Amphibian Survival Alliance (2017-18 maternity In addition, this year has seen a change in cover) the relationship between ASA and the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG) and Helen Meredith, PhD Amphibian Ark (AArk). ASA has always had Executive Director, Amphibian Survival a close relationship with these two globally Alliance scoped amphibian networks, but this year has cemented that relationship further in formally appointing both networks as ASA Advisors in the new ASA governance structure. This new structure better reflects how the respective networks relate to and support each other. The new relationship between ASA, ASG and AArk is further reflected in the development of a shared vision: Amphibians thriving in nature. www.amphibians.org 5 Introduction Established in 2011, the Amphibian Sur- ASA comprises three bodies: the ASA Global vival Alliance (ASA) is a global partnership Council (GC, who oversee the governance of organizations, groups and institutions of the ASA), the ASA Secretariat (staff), working to address the worldwide amphib- and the ASA Partners. This annual report is ian decline and extinction crisis through structured so as to clearly identify the ac- implementation of targeted research and tivities that have been carried out by the conservation actions for amphibians and ASA Partners, those that have been un- their habitats. As an alliance, ASA promotes dertaken by the ASA Secretariat, and those and coordinates the implementation of by the ASA Advisors. The ASA Partnership amphibian conservation actions through an section highlights the activities of some of active, engaged and committed partner- the ASA partners and it is our hope that, ship. ASA works very closely with key co- moving forward, this will be an opportunity ordinating bodies in global amphibian con- to showcase different partners each year. servation and ASA Advisors, the IUCN SSC Each partner summary clearly identifies 1-2 Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG) and Am- focal points for that particular organization, phibian Ark (AArk), to achieve the shared in the event that other partners across the vision of amphibians thriving in nature. In partnership would like to enquire further order to help inform its actions, ASA uses about any of the content in the summary. the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (ACAP) as a road map for global amphibian conservation. © Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group www.amphibians.org 6 News from the ASA Partnership © Endangered Wildlife Trust www.amphibians.org 7 The ASA partnership is a vibrant and active community of more than 100 organizational or group-level partners working to advance amphibian conservation throughout the world. Every year, the ASA will highlight the amphibian work of different ASA partners. Please browse the pages that follow to see how this year’s highlighted ASA partners are making a difference in amphibian conservation. We start with two partners that ASA has been working with through two grants, and then continue in alphabetical order. Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust By Jeff Dawson Building the capacity of project staff to en- sure they have the skills and knowledge to Durrell’s amphibian con- deliver project goals is a key component. servation work focuses To this end, Personal Development Plans, on a combination of both training in GIS and technical and financial in situ and ex situ ap- reporting have been supported by Durrell’s proaches, as well as capacity building and Amphibian Programme Manager (APM) and science. In 2016 ASA, Durrell and ASG Mad- Durrell’s field staff, with the APM mento- agascar initiated the implementation of the ring project staff regularly. To help ensure Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) the NSAP can be effectively implement- project “Building a Future for the Amphibi- ed requires engagement and support from ans of Madagascar.” This is the second year Malagasy society, from local communities, of the three year project, whose overall private sector and government agencies. goal is to strengthen national coordination The project is working toward this through of amphibian conservation in Madagascar regular reporting to government and devel- and help implement of the New Sahona- oping and working with collaborative net- gasy Action Plan (NSAP). This work is led works in Madagascar. A key existing net- by Amphibian Programme Lead Tsanta Ra- work is the Chytrid Emergency Cell (CEC), kotonanahary, and Amphibian Programme which the project has been supporting Officer Serge Ndriantsoa. through coordinating the annual national ©Durrel Wildlife Conservation Trust www.amphibians.org 8 monitoring programme, organizing export managing organization, Vondrona Ivon’ny permits, assisting and facilitating visiting Fampandrosoana (VIF). July 2017 saw the chytrid researchers and preparing proto- final report for the organizational assess- col and emergency response documents. ment of VIF, including recommendations A network is being developed for Mala- for training and development being com- gasy organizations engaged in amphibi- pleted and approved. Implementation of an survey and monitoring to bring groups these was initiated soon afterwards with together to share knowledge and experi- VIF’s Director participating in a 5-day Man- ences, help build capacity and offer advice; agement and Leadership Course in Mauri- identify grant and funding opportunities, tius. In December 2017 and January 2018 and provide a platform to share informa- two knowledge exchange trips to Alaotra tion. To date, five groups have expressed and Ankarafantsika Protected Areas for key interest in such a network and assistance VIF personnel and the