AArk Newsletter NewsletterNumber 48, December 2019 ark No. 48, December 2019 KeepingKeeping threatthreatened- amphibian species afloat ISSN 2640-4141

®

In this issue... conservation workshop / Atelopus Survival Initiative ...... 2 Reintroduction trials of Harlequin bred in captivity at the Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project...... 3 Reintroducing Green to historical sites; a collaborative effort between Nordens Ark and the County Administrative Board of Kalmar, Sweden...... 5 Rediscovery of La Culata’s (Aromobates duranti), a critically ...... 7 Baw Baw Bunker 2.0: conservation breeding program update...... 10 Sharing people skills to develop amphibian husbandry in Papua New Guinea...... 12 Amphibian Translocation for Conservation Symposium...... 14 Establishing connections between people and nature, dissemination and environmental education actions to assist the Water Frog of Lake Titicaca...... 15 Amphibian Ark donors, November 2019...... 17

Amphibian Ark c/o Conservation Planning Specialist Group 12101 Johnny Cake Ridge Road Apple Valley MN 55124-8151 USA www.amphibianark.org

Phone: +1 952 997 9800 Fax: +1 952 997 9803 1 www.amphibianark.org World Association of Zoos AArk Newsletter Number 48, December 2019

Atelopus conservation workshop / Atelopus Survival Initiative

Luis Carrillo, Training Officer, Amphibian Ark

Atelopus is a large of toads that occurs from Costa Rica to including Surinam and Guayana. Atelopus species are small, generally brightly colored, and diurnal. This genus has been greatly affected by habitat loss, pollution, and introduced species, but the primary cause of these declines appears to be the amphibian fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Many species of Atelopus are now considered endangered, while others already are extinct.

Global Wildlife Conservation organized a workshop at Parque Explora in Medellín, from November 4-7. Experts from Costa Rica, Panama, , Colombia, , Peru, Brazil, and Bolivia developed an action plan to help conserve Atelopus. The Atelopus Survival Initiative was launched to implement this action plan in range countries.

The thirty-four participants developed a common vision to save Atelopus from . Goals, strategies, responsibilities and a time- line were developed. The action plan will guide conservation actions within range countries and will be reviewed every five years.

Sponsors

Organisers

Atelopus Survival Initiative workshop, held in Colombia with representatives from range countries of Atelopus. Photo: Luis Carrillo.

Creating a common vision for Atelopus. Photo: Luis Carrillo.

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With many surplus captive bred Atelopus best way to Reintroduction trials at the Panama Amphibian Rescue and make a frog belt and Conservation Project, we decided that it get the right fit to attach the of Harlequin frogs was time to start learning how to reintro- transmitter is a bit challenging, but bred in captivity at the duce Atelopus back into the rainforests of important. We did not know how well the Panama. If we do not take these opportu- radio transmitters would work, but it turned Panama Amphibian nities to learn, we risk being stuck in con- servation paralysis with captive colonies Rescue and Limos Harlequin frog () with of threatened by extinction. radio transmitter. Conservation Project There is a lot to learn during reintroduc- Photo by Blake Klocke Blake Klocke

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute’s Center for Conservation Genomics.

Many species of Harlequin frogs (Genus: Atelopus) have experienced catastrophic declines since the arrival of the amphibian chytrid fungus in Latin America. The Panama Amphib- ian Rescue and Conservation Project has secured populations of five Atelopus species in captivity. A sixth Panamanian species, the Chiriqui Harlequin frog (Atelopus chiriquien- sis), has not been seen since 1996 and may be extinct. There is currently no method to remove the amphibian chytrid fungus from the environment for the long-term. The rainforests of Panama host a high diversity of amphibian species, and many persist in the presence of chytrid and act as disease reservoirs. At our field sites we find that 20-25% of the amphib- ians in the community are infected with chytrid – sometimes this number is as high as 45%, which may be due to seasonal variation in temperature and rainfall. Meanwhile habitat de- struction continues to reduce viable habitat for some of the Panamanian Atelopus species and it’s likely that climate change will further alter potential suitable habitat and chytrid dynamics. tions, and realistic goals need to be set about to be an incredibly useful method. to answer specific questions and improve We were able to follow individuals for up to The prospects of reintroducing spe- methodology for the future, increasing fifty-two days in the rainforest post release cies highly susceptible to chytrid chances of success. I will say this right – monitoring their distance moved, weight, seem grim at best. Generally, threats now: a lot of unpredictable things can hap- chytrid status, and overall condition. that lead to the initial decline of a pen during a reintroduction and we have Our average search time was about six species are mitigated before reintro- learned a lot during these trials. minutes for 371 recaptures during the first ductions take place. However, there release, and without the radio transmitters is reason to be optimistic: it was re- We have completed three reintroduction I am doubtful we would have found many cently found that several species that trials so far, two with the Limosa Harlequin of these individuals again. The number of initially declined when chytrid arrived Frog and one with the Variable Harlequin predation events we observed during radio in Panama have populations that Frog. Our primary goals during these tracking was surprising; arachnids and may be recovering and increasing trials was to learn about the fate of these snakes were responsible for these preda- in resistance, including the Variable released frogs and how they are affected tion events. Predation related mortalities Harlequin Frog (). by chytrid post-release. We also collected occurred before many individuals even be- The Limosa Harlequin frog (Atelopus data on the existing native amphibian came infected with chytrid or succumbed limosus) also persists at some sites, community and environmental data. The to it; this was one of the most unexpected but at populations much smaller than primary methods we used were radiotrack- lessons learned during these releases. the pre-chytrid era. I think there is ing, ‘soft release’ mesocosms, and mark- For many individuals, they did not hope that one day we can produce recapture surveys. disperse far from the release frogs with some level of resistance to location, which was chytrid, or methods to mitigate chytrid During all three trials we used small radio will be developed. transmitters (Holohil LB-2X) to track the Atelopus post-release. Figuring out the 3 AArk Newsletter AArkNumber Newsletter 48, December 2019 Number 47, December2019

very interesting. Sometimes heavy rainfall drobatids would make their way through. The reintroduction Variable Harlequin frog events would cause the frogs to move Additionally, we had a few snakes break trials with these (Atelopus varius) with radio towards higher elevations. Overall, radio into the enclosures and consume the At- two Atelopus transmitter. telemetry seems to be a very data rich elopus or ants would swarm the enclosure. species provided Photo by Blake Klocke method in amphibian reintroductions. We do think there are advantages in using a lot of informa- these enclosures. The acclimation period tion that will be Mesocosms were used for ‘soft’ versus may reduce stress, which may reduce the important for future reintroductions. We ‘hard’ release comparisons. A ‘soft’ release risk of the individual rapidly dispersing or want to investigate reintroducing different means that the have time to ac- being predated upon post-release. The en- life stages in the future, as all these trials climate in an enclosure in the environment closures are certainly a very cost-effective included adults or late juveniles. We are before being fully released, whereas a method. We are currently thinking of ways also exploring ways to return the skin toxins ‘hard’ release involves no acclimation time. we can improve these mesocosms for the to these Harlequin frogs before releasing future. them, as this may reduce predation. We ‘Soft’ release enclosures did have some have learned a lot during these trials and benefits: they were easier to locate and The last method I want to talk about is although there is no solution to chytrid yet, monitor individuals in an enclosure, how- mark-recapture surveys. We used mark- there are many questions we can explore to ever they do have disadvantages too. recapture during the first two reintroduc- ready ourselves (and the frogs!). tion trials, and it was very ineffective for The ‘soft’ release period allowed for more monitoring individuals. Recapturing enough Thanks to Brian Gratwicke, Roberto Ibañez, time to be exposed to chytrid – our enclo- animals after release was very challenging: Jorge Guerrel, Orlando Ariel Garćes, Elliot sures had holes small enough that adult At- trying to find a frog weighing four grams in Lassiter, Heidi Ross, Mirjana Mataya, Jeff elopus could not escape but small amphib- the rainforest is equivalent to trying to find Baughman, Angie Estrada, and Daniel ians in the community could and did pass a needle in a haystack. After disappoint- Medina for their help and col- through. We did not expect to find native ing mark-recapture results during the first laboration. amphibians in these enclosures, but small reintroduction trial, we heavily modified our Truando Toads ( haematiticus) – methods to improve our results, but our many tested positive for chytrid - and Den- luck didn’t improve. 4 AArk Newsletter Number 48, December 2019

Reintroducing Green Toads to historical sites; a collaborative effort between Nordens Ark and the County Administrative Board of Kalmar, Sweden Kristofer Försäter, Nordens Ark Foundation, Sweden and Susanne Forslund, County Administrative Board of Kalmar, Sweden

The species There is some debate as to whether the Green Toads in Sweden are Bufotes viridis, Dufresnes et al. (2019) or if they bring back the Green to Öland. Pair of green toads in amplexus in should be considered Bufotes variabi- Limhamn limestone quarry. lis, Stöck et al. (2006). However these Habitats have been restored along the Photo: K. Försäter. two species have similarities as both eastern shoreline with suitable ponds are considered continental species that and land areas managed. These habitats is that this will ensure that more toads require warm summers and cold winters, also have positive effects on other survive to breeding age. with slight differences depending on local groups such as wading birds and insects. climate. They can be found in most of Captive breeding and rearing Europe with the south of Sweden being In total more than 14,000 toads and Since Nordens Ark first got involved with its northernmost range. In Sweden, toads tadpoles reared at Nordens Ark have been the Green Toad project in 1995 the role are found on shoreline meadows and with reintroduced to three sites ranging from has been to give a head start to small shallow ponds in areas with high solar the southern tip of the island to the north numbers (5 000-10 000) of eggs and lar- radiation that heat up early in spring as eastern region. The aim is to establish a vae collected from stable wild populations. prime oviposition sites. They can also be metapopulation and connecting the sites The main site used is a limestone quarry found in areas with ponds in rocky cliffs on the southern tip of the island with sites in Limhamn, Scania. Concerns have risen surrounded by sandy grass and shrub- in the north. Even though the project has as to how well suited these animals are for dominated areas. Historically, the species been running for 10 years the real success release to the type of environment found could be found in more than 100 sites in (besides the odd number of male toads on Öland and at what level these animals southern Sweden but it is now restricted calling each year) is yet to come. Only in are inbred as there are no other sites in to a handful of small and fragmented sites the last three years have larger number of close proximity for gene dispersal. and considered to be the most threatened toads have been released and the hope amphibian in Sweden. The main threat to One option is to use material from the the species is the continuing loss of suita- other sites but since Batrachochytrium ble land habitat and spawning water where dendrobatidis (Bd) now is widespread overgrowth, drainage and lowering of within all the Green Toad populations in groundwater levels are amongst the most Sweden, except the one in the limestone significant problems. Predation, disease quarry, that poses a large risk collecting and road construction also pose significant eggs and larvae. threats. Habitat restoration and reintroduc- However, the other option would be to tion to historical sites are a highly priority collect adult toads from different sites and and officially recommended in the Species bring them in to captivity and treating them Action Plan overseen by the Swedish Envi- for Bd, after which they could be used as ronmental Protection Agency. a captive breeding group. Nordens Ark Collaborative efforts during the last two years developed a technique to breed Green Toads in captiv- Once considered the most common spe- ity. This not only means we no longer have cies of amphibian on Öland, an island to collect material from the wild but also situated in the Baltic sea on the Swedish means we get even more eggs than before east coast, numbers drastically declined as each female can produce between during the 20th century and was consid- 8,000 – 18,000 eggs. ered locally extinct on the island in the early part of this century. Nordens Ark and the County Administrative Board of Kalmar started work in 2003 by restoring habitat and releasing toads. This site was how- ever declared unsuitable for further release in 2007 due to the number of predators Kristofer Försäter releasing tadpoles in that had colonized the area. The project to holding cages for the first few days in relaunched again in 2009 and since then Högby hamn Natura 2000. Nordens Ark and the County Administrative Photo: Sandra Josefsson. Board of Kalmar are working together to 5 AArk Newsletter Number 48, December 2019

Habitat restorations, managing and sites. releases As part of the EU Life funded “BaltCoast”- Future plans project, the County Administrative Board There are uncertainties as to how re- of Kalmar restored coastal habitats on lated Green Toads in the different sites in the eastern shoreline. In late 2009 the Sweden are to one another, therefore a first release of toads, reared at Nordens genetic study is a highly priority. Such a Ark, was carried out and 400 toads were study will hopefully increase our knowl- released at Ottenby Natura 2000 on the edge of what are the most important sites southern tip of Öland. These toads, a mix in Sweden and possibly also neighbouring of juveniles and adults, were released in countries. October and males could be heard calling With the predicted low genetic diver- in May 2010. In the summer of 2010 newly sity we get from the material of the one metamorphed toads was found, proving site used, there is discussion about the that captive reared toads can reproduce possibility of bringing in adult toads from and that the aquatic habitat is suitable for other parts of Sweden. These toads, once eggs and tadpoles. Since then an addi- declared free from Bd, should then form a tional 6,000 toads have been released at more geneti- this site. In 2012 the first toads were also cally diverse released in the northeastern part of Öland, breeding colo- Högby hamn Natura 2000. This site was ny at Nordens the last known place in which Green Toads Ark and can lived before going locally extinct. And in then be used May 2019 the first captive bred tadpoles, to produce as part of a first trial, was released here. offspring to be Newly metamorphed toads resulting from used for future this release were observed in close prox- releases. imity to one of the release ponds in late June the same year.

Over the coming years the county admin- istrative board of Kalmar county is further expanding the range for green toads on Öland and restoring more habitats along the eastern shoreline by creating more shallow ponds and adding suitable winter brumation New pond in Högby hamn Natura 2000. Photo S. Forslund

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Rediscovery of La Culata’s Frog (Aromobates duranti), a critically endangered species Enrique La Marca, Luis A. Saavedra C., and Gabriel Sánchez, Centro de Conservación REVA (Rescate de Especies Venezolanas de Anfibios amenazados), Mérida, Venezuela

History La Culata’s Frog (Aromobates duranti) was described in 1985 and a few additional specimens were deposited in museums until the end of that same decade. Sub- sequently it seems to have disappeared, judging by the absence of visual records or collections after 1990. We do not know what caused the decline or extinction of their populations, even though it is very likely that a set of factors acting in synergy are responsible for this debacle. agricultural and touristic activities. Crops Probable distribution area (yellow polygon) In the late 1980s the El Niño phenom- have been a source of contaminants in the of La Culata’s Frog in the Mucujun river enon created unusually dry periods in the form of agro-toxic compounds that have basin, northeast of Merida, Andes of Venezuelan Andes. These prolonged and affected the quality of the waters in the Venezuela. successive droughts may have affected region. Irrational tourism activity and the Base image taken from Google Earth® the reproduction and survival of amphib- mismanagement of solid waste in some ian species in the region. Climate change, sectors contribute to the degree of pollu- reflected in rising temperatures, may tion in locations where populations of this additional locations have not yielded posi- have also contributed to the spread of an amphibian were previously found. tive results. It has been almost thirty years epidemic caused by the pathogenic fungus since the last time this frog was reported, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, detected Rediscovery which makes this finding an important in several specimens of frogs from the Following a conservation program at the discovery. Merida Andes captured at the end of the REVA (Rescue of threatened Venezuelan There are still a few relatively pristine 1980s. Amphibian Species) Center that received forest remnants where populations of the support from Amphibian Ark, we rediscov- species may survive. In this sense, we be- The range of La Culata´s Frog has also ered La Culata’s Frog in a small for- lieve that efforts must be concentrated in been greatly affected by the deforestation ested remnant with an extension of about potential sites of the El Escorial mountain that wiped out virtually all the forests at the 1,000m2 in the sector called La Culata, range, which have not yet been studied bottom of the Mucujún river valley, leaving in the Libertador District of the State of because of their relative inaccessibility. To- remnants only towards the foothills of the Merida, Andes of Venezuela. Searches in surrounding mountains. The deforested ar- wards the Sierra de La Culata the forests eas were destined for rural use, livestock, with suitable habitat for this amphibian Adult female La Culata’s Frog. Specimens have been almost completely destroyed. of this endemic and threatened species Surveys among local people revealed can reach up to 32mm in total length. that in the recent past populations of this Photo: Enrica La Marca. species were found in other places from which they have already disappeared. The available information indicates that the species has a distribution area of approximately 20km2 in the Mucujún river valley, between the towns of La Culata and La Caña, framed between the Sierra de La Culata and the El Escorial mountains ranges. Towards the mountainous foothills, the upper limit of distribution is given by páramo environments. The lower limit is not well determined, especially because of the absence of records and the high degree of anthropogenic intervention in the area.

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The population we located in the course if it is not under any strict protected area La Culata and of this project confirms that La Culata’s figure, such as a national park. La Caña, the mean frog survives in very disturbed remnants annual temperature is 10.8 °C of cloud forest near the paramo limit. The For this species we determined a geo- (with a minimum average of 6.7 °C recently discovered population lives in a graphical range with an extension of pres- and maximum average of 13.0 °C). Simi- freshwater spring under the shade of small ence in continuous decrease and less than larly, the rainfall record indicates an annual 2 trees and shrubs, with some introduced 100 km , severely fragmented, with an average of 1,430mm (range between pines, with abundance of “curuba” (Passi- observed decrease in habitat quality and 1,110mm and 1,742mm). flora mollisima), ferns and mosses; as well number of known locations (only three, as common duckweed (Lemna sp.), inva- two of them without current populations). Ex situ program sive watercress (Nasturtium officinale) and Under these data, we suggest the follow- We started an ex situ breeding project with sedges (Cyperaceae) that predominate in ing new category of threat to the species: a dozen specimens that we managed to the aquatic environment. In the surround- Critically Endangered (CR) B1ab (i, iii, iv) catch. A few evaded capture. The species ings of the town, livestock, horticulture and + 2ab (i, iii, iv). More simply, it means that seems to be uncommon. In captivity we tourism activities are developed, which this species faces an extremely high risk maintain three specimens for each glass have had a major impact on deforestation of extinction in wildlife. It is an endangered terrarium with dimensions of 42 cm long, and pollution, the latter particularly with animal that must be subject to studies and 30 cm wide and 34 cm high, with a simu- toxic agrochemicals. immediate conservation actions. lated cloud forest environment. We try to keep one breeding pair for each terrarium. Conservation status Virtually nothing is known regarding the The determination of sex by visual exami- Based on this finding and the new data natural history of La Culata’s Frog. Our ob- nation is difficult. However, adult females collected, there is a need to re-evaluate servations reveal that the species prefers have a bulkier belly and are larger than the conservation status of the species, humid and very shady places, under the males; and the latter, when they reach re- following the threat categories and criteria shelter of vegetation and rocks associated productive maturity, develop a dark throat established by the IUCN. La Culata’s frog with bodies of moving or relatively stag- as opposed to the females that have them is currently considered Endangered (EN) nant waters. In the field we have registered pale colored. Juveniles have a uniform yel- under category B1ab (iii) + 2ab (iii). In maximum temperatures of 18.3 ºC and lowish or cream color. the Red List of Venezuela, it is listed as minima as low as 10.1 ºC, with relative Insufficient Data (DD). The species has humidity between 81% and 58%. The data The terrariums are kept in a cold room regional protection under the regulations of analysis based on a local weather station specially designed for the ex situ breed- the Mucujún River Protective Basin, even indicates that for the region of the Mucujún ing colony, with air conditioning regulated river valley framed between the towns of at 16 ºC; The average water temperature

Humid montane forests in the Mucujun river basin, where Aromobates duranti lives. Photo: Enrica La Marca.

88 AArk Newsletter Number 48, December 2019 in small internal ponds in the terrariums ior. They feed on fruit flies (Drosophila environmental reaches to about 13 ° C. We provide artifi- melanogaster) supplemented with calcium education campaign cial lighting with LED bulbs connected with and minerals. Adults have secretive habits with local people, which we a timer that simulates the natural photo- and maintain a varied diet consisting of have already started, that helps to period, and a 100W incandescent bulb that fruit flies, flour larvae (Tenebrio molitor), raise awareness about the problems as- only lights during the hours close to noon. juvenile little cockroaches (Blatella ger- sociated with this species. The relative humidity in the terrariums manica), as well as larvae and adults of remains close to 80% average. The repro- various species of beetles (Tribolium cas- As with other members of the genus, the duction of the specimens in captivity has taneun, Stegobium paniceum, Sitophilus main threat to La Culata’s Frog is habi- not yet been achieved; although on several oryzae, and an unidentified Chrysomelidae tat loss. Possible remaining populations occasions we have heard and recorded probably of the genus Bruchus). Occasion- would be highly susceptible to specific songs that males usually emit when condi- ally they are given ants (not identified). In stochastic threats (such as landslides, tions are darker as lights are turned off. their natural habitat we have registered the extreme drought events, deforestation, following groups of invertebrates: harvest- contamination by solid and liquid wastes, Some tadpoles caught in the field are men spiders, terrestrial and aquatic shelled etc.), which can become a vicious circle of developing well, feeding on fish food and snails (bivalves, gastropods), slugs, population decline that can lead to even- prepared food that we have developed in aphids, dipterans, moisture mealy bugs, tual extinction. In this sense, the ex situ REVA and that we have reported on previ- prawns (little river shrimps), copepods, breeding plan that we have implemented ous occasions. As a complement to the mayflies, caddisflies, cockroaches, ringed in REVA is one of the best immediate feeding of the larvae and to provide shelter worms and planarians. The wild diet for the strategies that we conceive to address the we have placed aquatic plants (Elodea sp. species has not been determined. conservation problem of this frog. The ex and Vallisneria sp.) previously treated for situ colony will serve for captive breeding elimination of possible disease vectors. To Future purposes with the subsequent objective of generate the pH conditions closest to their We are carrying out some priority ac- serving as a source of frogs for introduc- natural habitat, where a certain amount of tions in situ in favor of the species, taking tions or reintroductions, and it is vital to plant organic matter such as leaves and measures to prevent the degradation of ensure the future of the species. logs can be found in the water, we add the places where it currently lives and leaves and cones of alder seeds (Alnus implementing habitat restoration actions. sp.) that tends to slightly acidify the water The first major effort in this regard was the (which is beneficial in several respects, as cleaning of solid wastes that were present aquarists know). Tadpoles do not survive in the new site where we found the founder at temperatures higher than 14 °C. stock for the ex situ colony. An urgent measure would be the implementation of Some tadpoles have already metamor- a habitat restoration and recovery plan, as phosed and since then they demonstrate a well as reforestation with native species. voracious appetite and non-evasive behav- These actions must be accompanied by an

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Baw Baw Bunker 2.0: conservation breeding program update Deon Gilbert, Threatened Species Biologist, Zoos Victoria, and Damian Goodall, Amphibian Specialist, Melbourne Zoo, Australia

It’s difficult to believe that this is the fifth Amphibian Ark Newsletter update on the Baw Baw Frog (Philoria frosti). Following previous achievements of the conservation breeding program (see newsletters 18, 26, 30 and 37) it seems fitting that this update high- lights the establishment of a second captive facility. The wild population of the Baw Baw Frog continues to decline, largely driven by chytrid fun- gus. Importantly, the captive popula- tion is demographically stable with recovery objectives well on target. To facilitate increased reproductive output and mitigate genetic loss from an unexpected catastrophic event, a second facility was fabricated off- site and delivered to Melbourne Zoo (Australia) earlier this year where it was assembled. We have named this new facility the Baw Baw Bunker 2.0. reproductive output to meet conservation Rearing habitat. It is now fully operational and functions objectives. Photo: Damian Goodall. independently of the original facility, with The new facility addresses learnings made its own backup power and life support sys- systems. In total both facilities house from the first facility with a redesign of tems. Importantly, independent tempera- around 300 individuals of all age groups rearing and breeding habitats to allow bet- ture and photoperiod schedules will allow from one-year old juveniles up to breed- ter filtration and more appropriate space us to experiment with optimising growth ing adults. There is plenty of room for the for nest construction and egg laying. Both and development of the frogs, as well as population to increase. In addition to the facilities are largely automated with open intensive indoor management we will be Baw Baw Frog outdoor aviary - chilled filtration systems and bioactive substrate experimenting with outdoor habitats. Baw water pipes. and require very little husbandry mainte- Baw Frogs naturally occur at sub-alpine Photo: Damian Goodall. nance apart from monitoring life support elevations so providing those condition outside of their geographic range on-site at Melbourne Zoo, in a coastal city, has been challenging. The current outdoor habitats utilise deep thermal buffered substrate, shaded aviaries and chilled water pipes set below the substrate surface. This allows refuge sites to maintain tempera- tures cooler than 20 oC during extended Melbourne summer temperatures, which is below the critical thermal limit for the species.

These outdoor habitats may provide a more efficient way of rearing optimal wild fit individuals for release and will be de- scribed in a future Amphibian Ark Newslet- ter.

At time of writing it is almost spring (in Australia), males will be establishing call sites in the coming weeks in prepara- tion for breeding and we expect choruses in both fa-

10 AArk Newsletter Number 48, December 2019 cilities. Unfortunately such choruses are now rarely heard in their natural habitat. Female Baw Baw Frogs develop follicles pre-winter and typically lay during the October and November. Last year most of the gravid females deposited eggs in specially designed breeding tanks replicat- ing natural seep lines, however fertility and egg survivorship was low and has given us yet another challenge to look forward to this season.

During the coming field season activities will concentrate on monitoring population transects, collection of unrepresented wild genetics and experimental reintroduction. Baw Baw Frogs have a unique life history where almost everything occurs under- ground: mating, egg laying, egg and larval development and metamorphosis, all in the absence of light. Then to make matters more complex eggs and larvae rely on an intimate relationship with undergrounded hydrology to complete development.

In 2018 we were able to create artificial oviposition sites and begin experimental areas of environmental refuge limiting Captive laid Baw Baw Frog eggs. reintroduction of captive laid eggs. The disease transmission and will focus our Photo: Damian Goodall. methodology appears sound with eggs reintroduction strategies at these sites. able to complete development to metamor- but rather, I’ll be sitting back toasting a phosis, however the sample size was very Of course, there is still a long way to go in glass of red wine reflecting on the hard small and needs to be more rigorously the recovery journey of the Baw Baw Frog, work of the many that goes into threatened tested and will be a major component of but it’s important to highlight the small wins species recovery. this year’s field work. along the way and stay positive when we are focused on such long-term biological Despite chytrid still being a problem in time frames. It’s my hope that it won’t be some parts of the Baw Baw Frog historical me writing the update when we announce Baw Baw Frog outdoor aviary. range we are confident there may be large that the population has been recovered, Photo Damian Goodall

1111 AArk Newsletter Number 48, December 2019

Sharing people skills to develop amphibian husbandry in Papua New Guinea Chris Banks, Zoos Victoria, Australia

Background in place. PNG, was established in the Park’s new In AArk Newsletter 42 in March 2018, AArk reptile display, ie. two 12 m converted readers were introduced to the long-term The December 2017 meeting allowed shipping containers with extensive inter- plan to future-proof frogs in Papua New identification of three priorities to initiate pretive panels. Guinea against the likely impacts of the the first phase ofex situ support for PNG amphibian chytrid fungus. The article out- frogs: A 1 m x 0.6 m x 0.6 m glass aquarium lined a range of processes and activities was fitted-out with filtration and irrigation • Develop staff expertise. that were underway or planned as part of systems, lighting to support live plants • Infrastructure that allows for growth in the multi-faceted strategy, and arising from and meet the frogs’ UV requirements, and response to changing needs. a meeting of all stakeholders at the Port natural landscaping to highlight the frogs • Sustainable live food production. Moresby Nature Park in PNG in Decem- to Park visitors. A major focus was ease of maintenance and recording climatic pa- ber 2017. Many of the initiatives cited are The Sister Zoo partnership between Zoos rameters, e.g. temperature and humidity. progressing and the issue has since been Victoria and the Port Moresby Nature Park The exhibit’s first inhabitants, White-lipped taken to the wider conservation community provides the framework for attending to the Tree Frogs (Litoria infrafenata) and Green through the publication of “Island of oppor- three priorities. tunity: can New Guinea protect amphib- Tree Frogs (Litoria caerulea) have settled ian from a globally emerging pathogen?” Significant strengthening of the Park’s in well. Further displays for Cane Toads (Bower et al. 2019, in Frontiers of Ecology live food production has occurred over (Rhinella marina) and Water Frogs (Rana and Environment). 2018/19, with a visit by Melbourne Zoo’s daemeli) as additional display aquariums invertebrate specialist, Kate Pearce. In become available in 2019/20. These four Developing husbandry capacity for addition to regular production of crickets species were chosen for their availability PNG frogs (Grylodes sp.), mealworms, Giant Afri- (they all occur on the Park grounds), and One of the important objectives recognised can Land Snails (Achatina fulica), cock- their general adaptability to captivity. They at the 2017 meeting was development roaches (Pycnoscelus surinamensis), and also allow the Park’s keepers to develop of captive husbandry capability for PNG an unidentified species of slater; some their skills with species that exhibit differ- frogs at the Nature Park. Taking a proac- initial problems with raising grasshoppers/ ent behavioural and ecological character- tive approach is critical, rather than trying locusts have been overcome. The latter istics. to respond when chytrid reaches PNG and comprise Migratory Locust (Locusta migra- Establishing the display was underpinned impacts native frogs. Establishing captive toria) and two unidentified species of New by two workshops on frog husbandry and colonies is one response to declines in Guinea grasshoppers. facility maintenance for the Park’s Life Sci- wild populations, to mitigate against spe- ence staff, and complemented by instal- cies loss, but such ex situ capability has to In September 2019, Melbourne Zoo’s frog husbandry specialist, Damian Goodall, lation of off-exhibit tanks for tadpoles and spent a week sharing his expertise with metamorphs. Damian also worked with Ryan Reuma-Dougie Solomon-Damian the Park’s frog and reptile keepers, Ryan the Park’s keepers to review invertebrate Goodall at Nature Park frog exhibit. Reuma and Dagie Solomon. The Park’s husbandry and implement improvements. Photo: Damien Goodsall. first frog exhibit, and likely the first for Much of PNG’s frog fauna comprises small species with poorly known captive needs, ie. the large number of microhylids. Initiat- ing husbandry capacity for these species is the next phase of the ex situ program and will be considered once husbandry skills at the Park are suitably developed. Detailed assessment of which species should be considered for this phase was undertaken at an AArk Conservation Needs Assessment at the Nature Park in July 2019. The outcomes of the CNA workshop will be presented once analysis of the results is completed.

Ongoing sharing of staff expertise and passion is at the core of the ZV-PMNP sister zoo partnership, which has facili- tated visits by almost forty staff across the gamut of operations at the two zoos. Most recently, the Park’s Ryan Reuma was able to spend a week with Melbourne Zoo’s Ectotherm Department. This came at an ideal time to allow Ryan to

1212 AArk Newsletter AArkNumber Newsletter 48, December 2019 Number 48, December 2019

Dougie and Ryan preparing the frog exhibit. Photo: Damien Goodsall. further his training and see firsthand the operations of Melbourne Zoo’s amphibian conservation recovery facility, gain a solid understanding of high quality welfare Ryan: success with raising grasshoppers. practises, and reinforce learnings to benefit live food production at the Nature Park. Photo: Damien Goodsall.

As captive husbandry develops at the Nature Park, it will also support other research and advocacy aspects of the over-arching program to ensure a future for PNG’s frogs.

Port Moresby Nature Park exhibit for Green Tree Frogs and White-lipped Tree Frogs. Photo: Damien Goodsall.

1313 AArk Newsletter Number 48, December 2019

Amphibian Translocation for Conservation Symposium Luis Carrillo, Training Officer, Amphibian Ark

Many amphibian populations have been decimated in the wild and many others are fragmented. This means that colonizing suitable habitat is almost impossible, due to the inability of many amphibian species to move long distances.

Translocation is a primary tool in the conservation toolbox, and often requires the help of captive breeding programs as a source of animals. Reintroduction in conjunction with threat mitigation and habitat protection should be one of the major goals of almost any com- prehensive amphibian conservation program. To be successful, program managers should properly plan their programs.

Reintroduction and supplementation have become more relevant to amphibians due to the continued population declines for many species. However, we still need to better understand the different factors that affect the success or failures of amphibian reintroduction programs.

This online symposium was designed to allow speakers and participants to learn from each other’s successes and failures, receive new and unpublished information and learn from the experiences of other projects so it could help to better design their own reintro- duction protocols; avoid unsuccessful practices or strategies; and connect with amphibian management experts and other program managers from different regions of the world.

The symposium was divided into four blocks:

Theoretical framework

Habitat management / restoration

Reintroduction program examples

Post-release monitoring.

Thirty-three speakers representing zoos, aquariums, government, and universities from Europe, Australia, USA, Africa and Latin-Amer- ica composed the faculty.

A total of 80 participants registered for this online symposium. The following tables summarize participant’s information. There were attendees from:

USA LATIN AMERICA CANADA EUROPE ASIA 31 24 4 3 1

Attendees were from these organisations:

ZOOS UNIVERSITIES MUSEUMS NGOs GOVERNMENT 20 6 2 8 4

An assessment was sent after each block, and a final assessment was complete at the close of the whole symposium.

The following information summarizes the general symposium assessment:

- 89% of participants felt overall satisfied to very satisfied

- 85% of participants felt the symposium was useful to very useful professionally to them

- 89% of participants said they gained new skills/understanding with the information presented during the symposium

- 82% of participants said the symposium helped broaden their mind about ex situ amphibian conservation planning

- 93% of participants said the symposium encouraged them to try new approaches toward amphibian conservation work

- 86% of participants said program and symposium content were suitable to their needs

- 93% of participants said they would recommend this symposium to a colleague

14 AArk Newsletter Number 48, December 2019

Some of the participants provided some feedback about the symposium:

“The course was extremely relevant to my field of work, created many new ideas to apply, and answered questions I had regarding other programs.”

“I liked this symposium because there were many specialists who have worked in reintroduction and have a lot of experience and shared valuable information from many places in the world and all in just one click away.”

“A great symposium with excellent speakers on a topic that is increasingly becoming more important for conservation biolo- gists.”

“I really like the course. To me it was modern and new way to win experience. I saw people of different countries that they work with amphibians with many effort.”

“I hadn’t known much about AARK before I attended the Amphibian Translocation Symposium, and I could not be more im- pressed. I gained so much new and relevant information that I can use in my recovery plans.”

“I found the symposium very useful and I am looking forward to sharing the information I gained with my colleagues at the zoo and on the recovery team.”

Videos of the symposium will be available online early in 2020.

Establishing connections between people and nature, dissemination and environmental education actions to assist the Water Frog of Lake Titicaca Jhazel Quispe, Verónica Choquehuanca, Gariz Riveros and América Machaca, “Association for Environmental Science and Development, Natural Way”, Peru.

‘Science and Education for a Sustainable Tomorrow!’ is the motto of the Association for Environmental Science and Develop- ment, Natural Way. We are a nonprofit organization that has worked in the Puno Region in southern Peru since 2017 seek- ing to guarantee the continuity of nature in this region.

One of the three areas in which we work we call impact education. Our objective is to change minds through experiences held outside the classroom. We also carry out environmental education works, to 2019. Center. Jeff Painting activities (Lake Titicaca, Reichert Rana and Zambullidor), at the influence people and encourage their At our first event at the beginning of involvement in the conservation of the and Farihah Real Plaza Shopping Center. March, we organized a Scientific-Cultural Zaman, en- Photo: Gluberth Ramos. environment. Our work is based on the Conference called: Frog, the Protective premise: ‘you don't want what you don't vironmental Giant of Lake Titicaca. This was held in filmmakers know, and you don't take care of what you the city of Puno. During the conference, don't want’. We organize and participate from the Red we presented our research and conserva- Ford Centre, in events where we raise awareness of tion results from 2018. We were seeking environmental problems such as loss of conducted a video conference from New to bring about behavioural change in the York - USA, to talk about their film "No- biodiversity. We focus on species such as lives of the North Perka community, so the Critically Endangered Titicaca Water body Loves Me" in which the main that the Titicaca Water Frog and local character is the Titicaca Wa- Frog (Telmatobius culeus). Despite it being biodiversity might be protected and en- endemic and fulfilling an important role for ter Frog. This film was hanced. We are supported by organiza- first shown the Lake Titicaca ecosystem this species tions such as Denver Zoo, Hatun Ñakaj, is very poorly known in the Puno region Municipality of Puno and The Red Ford of Peru. This article describes our work in 15 AArk Newsletter Number 48, December 2019 publicly in the city of Puno. More than sixty protection of endangered species. We Lake Titicaca audience members spoke with Jeff and shared positive global and local stories, and its two endan- Farihah. One of the discussion points was including that of the Titicaca Water Frog, gered species. that people provide protection for animals and how as a focus species it helps that are considered the most adorable, but achieve great opportunities for sustain- In our final event in the first half of the are people as likely to provide protection able development. year, we again joined SERFOR which for those species that are considered less had organized a photographic exhibition attractive? Should only the cute survive? Recently, we have been involved in a called Knowing the Titicaca Giant Frog: the seminar: Conservation of Andean am- story of an amphibian in danger of extinc- This was our second consecutive year phibians. There was a focus on perspec- tion. More than twenty photographs were organizing “Earth Hour” in the city of Puno. tives of environmental and scientific presented, each one showing a different We were supported by WWF-Peru and the education, and approach to forest wildlife aspect of the species. The focus was Municipality of Puno. The event was held in legislation. The event was organized by mainly on its threats and the different con- the busiest park in the city: Parque Manuel SERFOR (Peruvian National Forest and servation advances that are being made. del Pino. Other organizations involved Wildlife Service) and supported by insti- We also conducted guided tours explaining included WCS-Peru, CLIP, Titikaka Kuntur, tutions such as Denver Zoo and RANA in greater depth each of the photographs. and the Environmental University Network Group. We presented several papers This made the event more dynamic and of the San Carlos University and Universi- including ‘Conservation and Sustainable participatory for the more than 130 people dad Nacional del Altiplano - UNA Puno. The Development: Hand in hand with the who attended the event. event featured the Titicaca Water Frog and Titicaca Water Frog. There were more the Keñola Diver (Rollandia microptera). than sixty attendees. The sum of these activities over six months Both species are currently threatened, and is something that had not been seen they were key to the call for the recon- We celebrated the World Environment before in the Puno Region. As we focused nection of nature and people. The event Day (June 5) with a workshop: Life in upon the Titicaca Water Frog, we are sure included music, photography and videos. Titicaca. We collaborated with Real that we encouraged more people to get Plaza, and the event took place in the involved in the conservation of the Titicaca In May we were invited by the Municipality food court of the busiest shopping center Water Frog specifically, and Lake Titicaca of Capachica to conduct training in Ecotour- in the city of Juliaca. Children from ages in general. If you want to know more about ism and Sustainable Development for the 3 to 11 years, and their parents, carried our work please follow us on Facebook: community of Yapura. All families participat- out activities including painting the Lake NaturalWay – PERÚ. If you want more ing learned about the environmental and Titicaca ecosystem. There was a focus information, please write to nwa.peru@ socio-economic benefits involved in the on both Titicaca Water Frog and the Ke- gmail.com. conservation of the Lake Titicaca ecosys- ñola Diver. The children made a toy frog tem. There was a specific focus on the of recyclable material and learned about

Knowing the Titicaca Water Frog, the Story of an Amphibian in Danger of Extinction. Photo: Jhazel Quispe.

1616 AArk Newsletter Number 48, December 2019

Amphibian Ark donors, November 2019 The work of AArk is possible due to the generous support of the following individuals and institutions:

Above $200,000 The Estate of George and Mary Rabb

Up to $50,000

Bernard & Nancy Karwick Louis Schauer

Up to $10,000

Anne Baker & Robert Lacy, in memory of George Rabb

Up to $5,000 Crystal Robertson Adam Kosloff, in memory of Matias Sosa- Abilene Zoological Gardens Rolling Hills Zoo Wheelock Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Gregory Shchepanek Wayne Mock Ronna Erickson Andrew Smith Liam O’Connell Lee Hall Georgette Taylor Barbara Trautner Kansas City Zoo Brett Williams Joshua Tripp Nordens Ark Paignton Zoo Up to $100 Up to $25 Philadelphia Zoo Roman Bodinek Kade Ariani Sedgwick County Zoo Chris Carvalho McKay Caruthers Singapore Zoological Gardens Eithan Dudnik Gregory Dunnington Taipei Zoo Katelyn Ferrie Rafael Pardo Espejel Alistair Ward Jessica Finberg Alex Foster Celia Francis Michelle Groisman Up to $1,000 Marvin Goldberg James McIntosh Loline Hathaway Susan Handa Brwyn Mckeag Jessee Gift Fund Chris Johnson Sasha Meyerowitz Minnesota Zoo Tomas Kraus Austin Mohr Rosamond Gifford Zoo Ron & Joanne Lane Chad Segur Sacramento Zoo John Liuzzi, in memory of Matias Sosa- George Sommer Woodland Park Zoo Wheelock Richard Soper Margaret B. Marshall Audrey Taylor Kevin Mitchell Liz Walcher Up to $500 Philomath High School Stuart Weeks Anonymous Sara Rex Ugne Bavaraite Claire Rosser Beastly Threads Ella Rowan Up to $10 Kelsey Beck Amiran Berman Ceil Slauson Brandon Braun Casimir Borowski Jr. Barbara Trautner, for Louis Fisher Kate Champlin Vivian Bower UEAF Megan Curiel Charles Burnette Brian Ugurlu Jason Define Henry Clemmens Thodd & Lori Van Allen Brayden Diehl Rachael Creager David & Marvalee Wake Alana Gerits Sarah Cuypers Donna Yannazzone Fahim Dhalla Alexander Gilbert Jacob E. Benjamin Griffin Traci Hartsell Up to $50 Sarah Gutierrez Julia Hertl Jacob Astroski Kathryn J. Norman Da-Shih Hu Ashley Barth Ernesto Serrano Carol Judd, in memory of Matias Sosa- Charles Beausoleil Don Smith Wheelock Paul Byrnes Miho Takayama Lee Richardson Zoo Valrie Fingerman & Stephen Hirsch Ryan Toso Katherine Madin James Hanken Jerry Vulgarstein Midnight Sun AAZK Stephanie Hathaway, in memory of Colleen Lindsey Warner Thomas Miskovsky, in honor of George Rabb Haynes Hoffner Raymond Picciano Douglas Hull Michelle Rand Christian Kammerer 17