Building an Understanding of Invasion Threat in North America With

March 2019 AMPHIBIAN SURVIVAL ALLIANCE NEWTSLETTER

Got a story you want to share? Drop Candace an email today! [email protected] Stories from our partners around the world © Todd Amacker © Todd Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans: Building an Understanding of Invasion Threat in North America with Conservation Partners Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans thousands of Bsal-infected salaman- In 2016, a collaboration among the (Bsal) is a recently discovered fungal ders could have already crossed U.S. University of Tennessee, Tennes- pathogen from Asia that is emerg- borders, although to date, no posi- see Wildlife Resources Agency, and ing and causing salamander declines tive Bsal detections have occurred. North Carolina Wildlife Resources in Europe. Unregulated trade of Risk models developed by the U.S. Commission began to investigate infected non-native salamanders is Geological Survey based on environ- the relative susceptibility of North believed to be the route of entry. mental suitability suggest that the American salamander species to the North America is home to the great- likelihood of Bsal invasion in North foreign pathogen, Bsal. One year est diversity of salamanders in the America is high. However, these and later the NGOs, Liquid Spark, BAND world. Currently, no regulations other risk analyses have not taken Foundation, and Amphibian Survival exist in North America that require into consideration the susceptibility Alliance, joined the effort along with pathogen-free trade of amphib- of amphibian host species, which researchers from University of Mas- ians. Estimates of trade volume and could affectBsal invasion potential. sachusetts, Vanderbilt University, pathogen prevalence suggest that Washington State University, and Plan” approach for holistic con- this year is taking place at the Man- servation action (page 5). Global chester Metropolitan University, Wildlife Conservation and Rain- UK, on 27th-28th April 2019 (www. forest Trust have partnered with manchesteramphibianresearch. Temple University, Haiti National com) in collaboration with Ches- Trust and Société Audubon Haiti ter Zoo. ACRS is a great place for to create Haiti’s first ever private members of the amphibian conser- Nature Reserve, which will protect vation community to mingle, learn EDITORIAL many threatened animals, includ- about many fascinating research ing 16 amphibian species (page 6). and conservation projects, and Building partnerships leads to You will also discover how painting meet this year’s Future Leaders of fascinating combinations of skills, rocks can help your local amphib- Amphibian Conservation, who are experiences and motivations. In ian friends (page 8), hear about awarded scholarships to attend and this issue of the Frogress Report, Paignton Zoo’s recent success in present the wonderful work they we learn about a collaboration breeding Fea's flying frog (Rhaco- are doing in their home countries between several partners (includ- phorus feae; page 9), encounter to benefit amphibian conservation. ing the University of Tennessee and “Jewels of the Neotropics - A The closing date for registrations is adventure marketing agency Liquid Documentary to Save Poison Frogs” this Friday 29th March. We hope to Spark) to combat the threat of the (page 10), and meet ASA’s fantas- see you there! infectious fungal pathogen Bsal to tic Communications Intern, Luis North American salamanders (page Fernando Marin da Fonte, who tells Helen Meredith, PhD 1). Frogs & Friends have teamed about his experiences of amphib- Executive Director up with Verband der Zoologischen ian conservation across Brazil and Amphibian Survival Alliance Gärten and the German Society for beyond (page 11). Herpetology to launch the Citizen Conservation project, helping to Finally, there is still time to register integrate the amphibian captive for the Amphibian Conservation breeding community into a “One Research Symposium (ACRS), which

Universidad Nacional Autónoma de UT Center for Wildlife Health has Bsal is a skin pathogen, the team México. been great; Dr. Matt Gray, the lead swabbed animals every six days after scientist on the Southern Appalachi- pathogen exposure to estimate Bsal “Liquid Spark is proud to that our ans project at the Center for Wildlife infection intensity. Of the species first 1% for the Planet donation in Health, Institute of Agriculture, Uni- tested, approximately 75% became 2016 started the seed grant for this versity of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN infected and 30% developed Bsal critical early research on the Bsal keeps us apprised of recent research chytridiomycosis. Generally, dose- threat to salamanders in the Great developments and we get to visit dependent infection prevalence and Smoky Mountains, our agency’s his team to see the ongoing experi- mortality were observed in suscep- “backyard." It’s extraordinarily ments and learn how that research tible species. Gross signs of Bsal gratifying for us to play a part in translates to field applications. This chytridiomycosis included necrotic a project that ultimately has the is a transparent, meaningful conser- ulcerations that penetrated through protection of amphibian biodiver- vation partnership at its very best," the epidermis and sometimes into sity on an entire continent – North said Julie Thorner, president, Liq- granular glands with occasional America – at stake. Fast forward to uid Spark, Inc. focal hemorrhaging. In addition, 2019 – and key grants from federal diseased salamanders demonstrated sources have amplified this project This initial collaborative effort re- excessive skin shedding and altered across North America. We support sulted in testing 29 North American behavior. Susceptible species that Amphibian Survival Alliance (ASA) amphibian species to Bsal infection developed Bsal chytridiomycosis because ASA is a proven organiza- and development of the disease, and experienced mortality included tion at the forefront of watershed Bsal chytridiomycosis. In biosecure five lungless salamander species and ecosystem protection. We know environmental chambers, salaman- (Family Plethodontidae) and four our donation goes immediately to ders of these species were exposed newt species (Family Salamandri- work being conducted by Dr. Gray at the University of Tennessee to dae). In particular, several species of to assess the threat of this invasive one of four Bsal zoospore doses conservation concern (e.g., Green pathogen in southern Appalachia. (103-6), and their condition moni- salamander, Aneides aeneus; Striped Our relationship with ASA and the tored for at least six weeks. Because newt, Notophthalmus perstriatus) developed Bsal chytridiomycosis. – two other invasive fungal patho- experts can come together in the In addition, some abundant species gens known to kill wildlife species,” effort to control an invasive wildlife with large geographic distributions said Matt Gray with the Center for disease,” said Reid Harris, director (e.g., Eastern newt, N. viridescens; Wildlife Health, Institute of Agricul- of international disease mitigation, Rough-skinned newt, Taricha ture, University of Tennessee Amphibian Survival Alliance. granulosa) were very susceptible, Our results suggest that most North and could contribute significantly to American amphibian communities Recent federal grants by the U.S. Na- the amplification and spread of Bsal will be composed of a combina- tional Science Foundation (Division in North America. Seven additional tion of amplification, tolerant and of Environmental Biology, Ecology of salamander species in Plethodonti- resistant host species, which will Infectious Disease Program, Grant dae, Ambystomatidae, and Crypto- facilitate the emergence, spread and #1814520) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife branchidae maintained Bsal infec- maintenance of Bsal in the western Service (competitive state wildlife tions without disease developing, hemisphere if the pathogen is intro- grant TN-U2-F19AP00047 awarded and could serve as carrier species. duced. Natural resource and wildlife to Tennessee Wildlife Resources The team also documented that health agencies should deem the Agency) are helping expand research some frogs species could become introduction of Bsal into the USA, on Bsal in North America. More infected with Bsal, illustrating the Canada and Mexico as a serious information of the Bsal project led host range of Bsal is broader that conservation threat, proactively by the University of Tennessee is previously thought. Several species establish regulations to reduce the available at: https://ag.tennessee. that became infected with Bsal are likelihood of introduction, and sup- edu/fwf/bsalproject/. traded internationally (e.g., Mexican port research and planning activities axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum), that evaluate disease response and Matthew J. Gray, Ph.D. and could facilitate translocation management strategies that could of Bsal into naïve locations, such fight an invasion if Bsal emerges in Center for Wildlife Health, Institute as North America. Nine amphibian North America. of Agriculture, University of Tennes- species tested were resistant to Bsal see, Knoxville, TN, mgray11@utk. infections, which is hopeful, and "Bsal represents an existential edu could provide insight into develop- threat to salamander species in ing disease treatment and manage- North America. Salamander are ment strategies. not often seen, yet they perform vital ecosystem services. The work “The invasion of Bsal into North performed by Dr. Matt Gray is vital America would be devastating and to understanding the risk posed by could result in cataclysmic biodiver- Bsal to salamanders. Support from sity losses that exceed the impacts Liquid Spark and other organizations of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis is an example of how the private and Pseudogymnoascus destructans sector, NGOs and wildlife disease © Todd Amacker © Todd Amphibian Conservation Research Symposium 2019 27-28th April 2019 Manchester Metropolitan Business School, Manchester, UK

Keynote speakers: Helen Meredith (Amphibian Survival Alliance) Brad Wilson (Atlanta Botanical Gardens) Luis Coloma (Centro Jambatu) Jamie Voyles (University of Nevada)

Early bird registration closes 28th February 2019 Normal registration closes 29th March 2019

Abstract deadline for a talk or poster 29th March 2019

For more information and to register, visit: www.manchesteramphibianresearch.com

The Future Leaders of Amphibian Conservation award is returning to ACRS 2019. Visit the above website for more information. Citizen Conservation: Reinforcing the One Plan Approach even by the conservation community. Consequently, reframing this upside-down perception of captive breeding must be the key target of the Communication Campaign.

With Citizen Conservation #Amphib- ians we have now started a five-year pilot phase that will help us test and improve our organizational structure and procedures, management and participation guidelines, marketing and communication strategy and, of course, funding. This process of © Frogs & Friends/Benny Trapp & Friends/Benny © Frogs evaluation and adjustments will give us a solid base on which to build as We all know about the devastat- First, extinction of species: If we we scale up Citizen Conservation ing predictions regarding species want to save a relevant number both geographically and taxonomi- extinction. And we also know that of threatened species, we’ll have cally. we’ll only succeed in slowing down to quickly expand the amount of the grim trend if all stakeholders available space and the number of The program currently includes five committed to conservation work knowledgeable caretakers. Zoos species. We have plans to expand to together in a cooperative and open- won’t be able to achieve this goal on between 10 and 15 species within minded way. their own. the next four years. Meanwhile, we hope to be able to open up the first From the very beginning, Frogs & Second, public misconceptions Citizen Conservation Centers in zoos. Friends has collaborated closely about captive breeding: Zoos and These will serve as training centers, with zoos and private amphibian private breeders are facing signifi- breeding facilities and give volun- enthusiasts. These two stakehold- cant opposition at both a societal teers a chance to get involved. It is ers have a wealth of knowledge and and a legislative level. If we want a quite ambitious agenda. However, experience in captive breeding. Zoos to safeguard our potential to help we are optimistic that it will soon be have been working for decades to solve the existing challenges in the clear that the benefits far outweigh establish well-coordinated, scien- field of biodiversity loss, we have to the obstacles--and that Citizen tifically led breeding programs for convince society of the importance Conservation will demonstrate its a variety of species, while private of our work. potential to effectively contribute experts have built up expertise in to our shared task: finding effective fostering a variety of species. Citizen Conservation, therefore, has ways to slow the extinction crisis. to be two things from the very be- New insights prompt new ideas. In ginning: a breeding program and a the light of the massive extinction campaign. We have to make it clear event we’re facing, and in the spirit that captive breeding is part of the of the One Plan approach, we are solution, not part of the problem – convinced that captive breeding and we’ll have to prove it. programs must be an essential part of any strategy to preserve biodi- For the last three years, we've been versity. That is why Frogs & Friends busy with preparations, interview- teamed up with the VdZ (Verband ing dozens of captive breeding der Zoologischen Gärten) and DGHT stakeholders, marketing profession- (German Society for Herpetology) als, and media experts to create a to jointly launch what we see as viable framework for the project to the next important step: the Citizen succeed. One key insight was that al- Conservation project. most all stakeholders suffered from Citizen Conservation aims to help a perceived lack of acknowledgment solve two major problems: for their efforts by the public and © Global Wildlife Conservation/Robin Moore Conservation/Robin Wildlife Global © Haiti’s First-Ever Private Nature Reserve Will Safeguard Treasure Trove of Imperiled Species In an historic move, Global Wildlife who is also on Haiti National Trust’s tion of being home to one of the Conservation (GWC) has joined forc- board of trustees. “We knew that largest groupings of frog species es with several partners to establish we needed to take action to protect anywhere in the Caribbean. the first private nature reserve in the country’s staggering diversity Haiti. The project—in partner- of unique and threatened species, One of the species, the Tiburon ship with Rainforest Trust, Temple many of which are found only in Hai- streamfrog, had not been seen University, Haiti National Trust and ti. Global Wildlife Conservation has in four decades despite intensive local NGO Société Audubon Haiti partnered with Haiti National Trust search efforts. The stream frog is a (SAH)—launched this week with the to directly protect, manage and unique lost species that made an final acquisition of more than 1,200 restore this high-priority conserva- evolutionary reversal to an aquatic acres on Grand Bois mountain, tion site in an effort to begin to turn lifestyle after its ancestors evolved home to a remarkable 68 vertebrate the tide of centuries of unregulated traits for living in the forest. The species. This includes many species environmental destruction.” expedition team discovered three threatened with extinction, such as new frog species, all of which the Ekman’s magnolia tree, the Yellow S. Blair Hedges, director of Temple IUCN Red List of Threatened Species cave frog and the Tiburon stream- University’s Center for Biodiversity, will likely classify as critically endan- frog. in collaboration with Société Audu- gered once they have been scientifi- bon Haiti President Philippe Bayard, cally described. “With less than one percent of led two expeditions to Grand Bois Haiti’s original forest left, the coun- during the last seven years. The Mirroring what is happening across try is on the verge of a potential team documented 68 species of Haiti, Grand Bois’s forests are being ecological collapse,” said GWC Chief vertebrates, including 16 amphibian cut for building materials, slash- Scientist and CEO Wes Sechrest, species, giving this area the distinc- and-burn agriculture and charcoal. © Global Wildlife Conservation/Robin Moore Conservation/Robin Wildlife Global ©

At least 50 percent of the original a network of private nature reserves environment and biodiversity. “The forest on Grand Bois, however, is in the country.” species will never come back if we still intact above 1,000 meters. The lose them.” expedition identified Grand Bois Repeated scientific expeditions have as a biodiversity hotspot and in identified Haiti’s 12 remaining -hot Grand Bois is found in Haiti’s Mas- response, the government of Haiti spots for wildlife diversity, of which sif de la Hotte mountain range, the declared it a national park in 2015, Grand Bois was considered the high- number one priority conservation Parc National Naturel de Grand Bois, est conservation priority because of site in the country and one of the recognizing it as a priority for con- existing forest habitat and imminent most important sites for amphibians servation and confirming the critical threats. Haiti National Trust is work- in the world. Because 19 critically need to acquire and protect the ing to implement a forest manage- endangered amphibian species are area. The local community has been ment and restoration plan for Grand restricted to this single site globally, incredibly supportive of maintain- Bois Nature Reserve, with funding Massif de La Hotte has been recog- ing the natural ‘water tower’ of the from GWC and Rainforest Trust, and nized as an Alliance for Zero Extinc- forested mountain, as nearby peaks to raise support to build the net- tion site. It is also a Key Biodiversity have been deforested, resulting in work of private nature reserves. Area, a nationally identified site of landslides and lack of controlled and global significance for biodiversity. clean water in natural forests. “When I first landed on Grand Bois mountain with Professor Hedges, This work was made possible by a “That Grand Bois and two other I immediately thought that a new generous donation from the Sheth areas were named as national parks strategy had to be found to pre- Sangreal Foundation. based on our work has been very serve the plants, animals, and gratifying,” Hedges said. “Now with ecosystem services such as clean funding from Global Wildlife Con- water and protection from flood- servation and Rainforest Trust, we ing,” said Bayard who, together with are beginning the process of land Hedges, founded Haiti National Trust purchase and management to build to preserve the country’s natural The Family Pond: A Creative Approach to Amphibian Conservation Awareness The Amphibian Conservation Rocks and writing a little bit about them campaign encourages families to will lead you and your children to paint amphibian-themed rocks become ambassadors for amphibian together. It is an excellent activity conservation! As your knowledge for those days when the weather grows, you will be more driven and keeps you indoors. You can add sim- better-equipped to share useful ple information, such as a specific information with others. If you instill species status, a fact, or just a word that passion in others, it will grow like "conservation" to your rocks. exponentially. Consider tying cards onto your rocks with more information if the mood The more we share our love and strikes you. concern for amphibians, the greater the impact we make. Just remember

© Thomas Favazza The bottom line is to try to share to have fun, paint amphibian rocks, It can be simple, fun, and rewarding your artistic creations along with spend time with your family, be being an ambassador for our often some fun and interesting amphib- creative, and spread the word, rib- overlooked friends: the amphibians! ian facts. This will inspire those who bit, ribbit, ribbit... But with a little creativity, you and find your rocks to tell their families your family can make a big splash! and friends about the cool rock they "The Family Pond is a segment that Enjoyable family activities can have found! Seeing this painted rocks our family will continue to fill with an impact on amphibian conserva- campaign becoming a trend with fun and creative Ideas, to reach tion and can create a ripple effect families can make for a huge leap others... one pad at a time until the across generations. It can bring the forward in the future of amphibian pond is full," said Thomas Favazza. common interest of conservation conservation awareness! into your personal relationships. The idea is to leave your painted It can also make your family more rocks around your community for environmentally conscientious and others to find, to remind them of contribute to amphibian conserva- our amphibian resources, to share tion all while having family fun! information with family, and friends When you find yourself wonder- and to inspire others to do the ing, "What can we do today?" the same. You may even consider get- answer may be as simple as painting ting your local nature centers, zoos, a rock. and/or schools involved.

A campaign called Amphibian Taking the time to post photos of Conservation Rocks takes this idea your Amphibian Conservation Rocks head-on. This family-oriented cam- on social media is a great way to paign was introduced in 2018 by make new friends and help intro- © Thomas Favazza Trinity Favazza, an eleven-year-old duce this campaign, one rock at a with a passion for amphibian con- time. Don't be afraid to show your servation and awareness. Trinity has creativity, no matter your skill level... found a unique way to bring families the amphibians will always love together using a fun and creative what you are doing. approach to spread the word about amphibian conservation. Finding a Spending time together, outdoors, way to reach and impact the young- hiding your painted amphibian rocks © Thomas Favazza er generation is the key to sustain- at local hotspots and parks makes ability in a movement to protect our for great family time. Invite your natural resources. This campaign friends and their children to paint brings families together with a sim- with you and even suggest it as an ple, enjoyable and effective activity, activity for your babysitter while and it toad-ally rocks! you are out. Simply researching

the amphibians you are painting © Thomas Favazza © Paignton Zoo/ Eleanor Stobbart Zoo/ © Paignton Big Frog, Little Frog Frogs come in all shapes and sizes – How did the keepers go about no. But it has long toes with strong as these two demonstrate. Paignton breeding this species? Senior webbing between; it can drop from Zoo photographer Eleanor Stobbart Paignton Zoo keeper Dr Katy Up- a tree and slow its fall to a glide (a took this stunning image of a young ton explained: “This is our first trick known as 'parachuting'). It’s Thao whipping frog on top of an time breeding them. We raised the not really flying, but it is pretty im- adult of the same species to mark temperatures by a couple of de- pressive falling. World Frog Day, on Wednesday 20th grees and moved them into a larger March. The species has just bred at specialist breeding enclosure, then Its natural habitat is tropical for- Paignton Zoo for the very first time. increased the humidity and sprays. est, rivers, swamps and irrigated The enclosure is half water with a farmland; it breeds on quiet, shaded Like so many species of exotic frog, land area planted with bamboo and reaches of mountain streams. Their this one goes by different names. It’s large bamboo canes for them to sit frothy nests tend to be near or the Thao whipping frog, Fea’s tree on. Within a couple of days of being above the water, and the tadpoles frog, or Fea's flying frog… The one in this enclosure they spawned!” drop into the water when they thing we can agree on is the scien- hatch. This species is threatened by tific designation, Rhacophorus feae. There is currently no European habitat loss and collecting for food. The whipping part of the name Endangered species Programme or comes from the way the females studbook for the species. Katy again: use their back legs to whip up foam “There are other collections work- to make a nest for their eggs Thao ing with this species – this is not a comes from the Thao river, which UK first but it is still another great flows through China and Vietnam. achievement for Paignton Zoo!” The Thao whipping frog is found in This is one of the largest tree frogs parts of China, Laos, Vietnam, Thai- in the world. It’s known as a flying land and Myanmar. frog – but can it really fly? Honestly, © Andrés Piolatti © Andrés

Jewels of the Neotropics - A Documentary to Save Poison Frogs As recent research suggests, the skin With each tree felled, hundreds of further than we could have imag- of many frogs is a potential global species including plants, inverte- ined at that time. pharmacopeia for the treatment brates, birds, reptiles and amphib- of certain medical conditions such ians, were stripped of their true Thanks to the support received as pain or Alzheimer's Disease. It Eden forever. In the depth of that by all those people who believed is this characteristic, a remarkable panorama, we continued to hear the that telling this story could provide skin, that draws attention to anyone cry of the Howler monkeys (Allouat- that grain of sand so fundamen- who runs into a frog of the Dendro- ta palliata) and the claims of the tal for changes to be possible, we batidae family. Commonly known Strawberry poison frog (Oophaga undertook an unprecedented trip as poison frogs, many of the species pumilio). Our perspective changed in our lives with the ultimate goal in this large family have a very vivid during that trip. We could not help of making an audiovisual project to skin color that warns its predators feeling the weight of a gray pessi- show how different initiatives are of highly toxic or, at least, irritant mism on our backs. Towards the end saving dendrobatids: from BioTrade substances present in the outer of our trip, we realized that there as an alternative to black and grey layer of their bodies. This phenom- was some hope: a biological station, amphibian markets, to ex situ and in enon, called aposematic coloration, a recycling plant in the middle of situ conservation at amphibian arks is what hypnotized many people like the main island and even an ecologi- and private reserves, respectively. us, germinating in our interior a real cal coffee farm whose owner had passion and dedication for these deliberately increased the number I am grateful to all our 101 Kickstart- delicate beings. of bromeliads in his lands to favor er backers. Thanks to Brian Kubicki the reproduction of dendrobatids in (director of C.R.A.R.C), Candace M. In March 2016, during a trip to the area. Something could be done, Hansen-Hendrikx (Director of Opera- Panama in search of the different and we were willing to contribute. tions Amphibian Survival Alliance), morphotypes of Oophaga pumilio At that time, we started recording Carlos Galvis (Head of the Section in their natural environment, we what we saw and what we would of the Biology Area of the Zoological had the opportunity to observe how like to be changed. Maybe a post on Foundation of Cali), Dendrobates their habitat was being destroyed. a social network could work, per- España, Giovanni Chaves (Fundación Trees 30 meters high, whose trunks haps a campaign on any platform Ecodiversidad Colombia), Giovanni were home to countless lives were could gain enough strength... but Onore (Founder of Otonga Foun- being cut down to open new routes why not to propose a crowdfunded dation), Josh’s Frogs, La Y Griega, through almost virgin forest to build project that unites poison frogs fans Lola Guarderas (General Manager houses to the increasing demand for and those with initiatives and active of Wikiri), Luis Coloma (Director of accommodations for wealthy people projects to save these very specific Jambatu Center) and Mist King. This who wanted a home in paradise. A amphibians? And that's how Poi- project would not be possible with- paradise that, ironically, was being son Dart Frogs, The Documentary out Jane Goodall’s reasons for hope. destroyed to (un)welcome them. Project was born. It has now gone © Luis Fernando Marin da Fonte © Luis Fernando Q&A with Luis Fernando Marin da Fonte Meet Luis Fernando Marin da Fonte, mentation of a small hydroelectric Can you tell us a little about your ASA’s Communication Intern! power plant. Working with a multi- Ph.D.? disciplinary and multi-institutional I am currently finishing my Ph.D. at What got you interested in amphib- team, we were able to prevent the the Universität Trier, in Germany, on ians? construction of the hydroelectric. In the diversity of amphibians in the I have always been amazed by what Germany, I have also helped with a Amazonian floodplains, with a focus is different and exotic, by everything project on the Fire salamander and on the influence of floating mead- out of the ordinary. And that was the highly deadly chytrid fungus ows as promoters of long-distance what drew my attention to amphib- Batrachochytrium salamandriv- dispersal. ians in the first place. I was amazed orans. Moreover, since 2015 I am by their singularity, the things that a Program Officer at the IUCN SSC What are you currently working on make them so unique among other Amphibian Specialist Group for for ASA? animals. I was also intrigued by Brazil. Over the last years, we have Currently, as a Communication the reason why these animals, so conducted a massive review of the Intern, I take care of the ASA social inoffensive and harmless, can be conservation activities involving media channels (Facebook, Twitter, so feared and disliked? I wanted to amphibians in our country, and have and Instagram). Our primary focus is know how threatened they were, organized the I Amphibians in Focus to highlight the fantastic work con- and what I could do to help protect (ANFoCO): Brazilian Symposium on ducted by our partners, to publicize them. Amphibian Conservation (held in opportunities (grants, jobs, prizes, São Paulo in August 2018). Since events, etc.), to share recent news What projects have you been 2017 I have been involved in the on amphibian conservation and to involved in to promote amphibian Giant of the Pampas initiative, an raise awareness about these amaz- conservation? international effort aiming for the ing creatures. Since 2010 I have been involved conservation of the Ornate horned in the Admirable red-belly toad frog (Ceratophrys ornata) in Argenti- What is your favourite amphibian (Melanophryniscus admirabilis) na, Uruguay, and Brazil. Finally, since species and why? conservation project. It is a Critically the end of 2018, I have been collab- Hard to say, since I have worked Endangered microendemic species orating with the Amphibian Survival with amazing species such as the from the southern Brazilian Atlantic Alliance as a Communication Intern, Admirable red-belly toad. Oddly Forest that until recently had been taking care of the ASA social media enough, I think my favourite species threatened by the possible imple- channels. is the Montevideo treefrog (Boana pulchella), one of the most common on his shoulders in a cold night in Therefore, if we are worried about amphibians in the South of Brazil, the middle of a soybean plantation! the future of amphibians and other where I come from. It has the most But it was worth the effort. It was a wild animals, we should start by beautiful vocalization I have ever new register to that region. To take raising awareness of this topic and heard! They can call even at ex- pictures in sunlight, we brought the reducing our consumerism. I believe tremely low temperatures and very treefrog home. Inside the car, on our only education can give us a brighter often its amazing choirs are the only way back, we heard music and when future. People will only respect (and sound to be heard throughout the the radio played The Salmon Dance, therefore protect) what they know, cold winter nights. a song by The Chemical Brothers, understand and identify themselves the treefrog started singing along to with. We have to teach children Do you have a funny anecdote from it! We were amazed! Other songs and adults about the importance your work with amphibians that played, and the treefrog did not re- of protecting the environment and, you can share? act. So we played The Salmon Dance in our case, the amphibians. We In 2009 I was searching for frogs again, and he vocalized again! Have have to put an end to the belief that with a good friend in the Southern you ever heard of an amphibian that frogs are disgusting, dangerous and Brazilian countryside. Though it was liked pop songs? associated with the dark side, to very cold outside, we heard a vocali- witchcraft. We have to show that zation that I've never heard before What can we all do to help raise they are beautiful and essential to coming from a small swamp next to awareness of amphibians and their the environmental balance; and a soybean plantation. Full of excite- plight? for those who seek for an anthro- ment, we soon spotted that small Before trying to change the world, pocentric purpose for animals, we Striped treefrog (Boana caingua) let us try to change ourselves. And need to show that amphibians are calling from the top of the single we can only do that by learning. The also important to humankind. If tree in the place. But it was too only problem with education is that you love amphibians and want to high for us, so I had to climb on the knowledge brings responsibility. Cur- help protect them, so learn, learn, shoulders of my friend to be able to rently, there is plenty of evidence learn! And then tell other people reach the animal. It must have been that human meat-eating habits are what you have learned, show them a funny scene, although there was significant drivers of climate change, how beautiful and important these no one to see it: a guy with water deforestation, and pollution of animals are. Help educate and raise on his knees holding another one terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. awareness!