Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project Announced
893 views · Published 12 May 2009 · 1:06:54 · Indexed 20 September 2026
Channel: Smithsonian · 2009 · Science & Technology
Eight Institutions Tell the World Why Amphibians Matter: Amphibians are facing a crisis of unprecedented proportion. A systematic global assessment of all 5,743 known amphibian species has found that one-third are in danger of being wiped out at an alarming rate across the globe by the pathogen. Particularly alarming to conservationists is that 122 species are believed to have already gone extinct in the last three decades, compared to just five bird species and no mammals during the same time period. This unparalleled rate of species loss deserves an immediate and comprehensive global response. Eight zoos/institutions have banded together to form The Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project and will announce their partnership, their plans to combat the spread of chytrid in Panama and provide staggering information on why amphibians matter. INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED: The Smithsonians National Zoo, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Zoo New England, Defenders of Wildlife, Africam Safari, Houston Zoo, Summit Municipal Park, and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI).
