Amphibians

Amphibians are both terrestrial and aquatic creatures. The most well known representatives are frogs, toads, salamanders and newts. 5,800 species are distributed around the world. The countdown has started! The latest studies by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) show that of these 5,800 species worldwide about one third (1,856 species) are threatened with extinction. 413 are on the brink of extinction and 126 species already disappeared for good over the last 25 years. Climate change, the destruction of natural habitats and introduced animal species are endangering and threatening amphibians’ survival. Additionally, a serious fungal skin infection is spreading at a rapid rate and is known as amphibian chytrid fungus. This is harmful to amphibians’ skin and leads to mass culling.

Measures and objectives

There are currently no options to stop the spread of the fatal fungal infection or to treat infected amphibians in the wild. The only hope of saving the animals is to move endangered individuals to protected locations. Amphibians could live here and reproduce in secure conditions. This measure is to enable the animals to return to their native habitats in future and in more favourable conditions.

How is the zoo contributing

South American frog toads are among the most endangered frog species due to frequent fungal infestations. Cali zoo in the Columbian capital keeps and breeds the endemic poison dart frog in a protected natural environment. Zurich Zoo is assisting Cali Zoo to set up and run a breeding centre for frog toads.

Zurich Zoo also supports a research project set up by Turin’s Museum of Natural History and the University of Antananarivo (Madagascar) to study the threat to population development and distribution of the tomato frog. Understanding these factors is a basic condition for targeted measures to protect the endangered tomato frog.

Various amphibian species are kept and bred at Zurich Zoo. These mainly include frogs from the rainforests of South America and Madagascar such as the minute red-backed poison dart frog, the Golden Poison Dart Frog and the Tomato Frog. Zurich Zoo manages the European breeding register for the endangered Blue Poison Dart Frog.

From 23 March 2006, Zurich Zoo presents the exhibition “The Silence of Frogs” as well as an annual programme of special events.