2008 The Year of the Frog

In 2008, AArk will lead zoos, botanical gardens and aquariums in a globally coordinated public awareness campaign “The Year of the Frog.” The main goal of this campaign is to generate public awareness and understanding of the amphibian extinction crisis which represents the greatest species conservation challenge in the history of humanity. The money raised from this global campaign will help fund initiatives such as training courses, technical guidance etc.
Reasons to get involved:

1. Amphibian species are becoming extinct at a pace faster that anything we have experienced.
2. Nearly one third of all amphibian species are threatened.
3. Many people do not know that amphibians are declining and how threatened they are.
4. Amphibians are indicators of environmental health, important components of ecosystems.
5. Amphibians are contributors to human health they provide vital biomedicines, including compounds that are being refined for analgesics and antibiotics.
6. Amphibians are suitable for captive breeding programs and if every zoo in the world rescues one species, the goal can be achieved.
7. This is a unique challenge to prove that zoos and aquariums and botanical gardens are valid conservation partners. Zoos in particular play an important role in providing ex-situ breeding grounds for immediate conservation action
8. The amphibian extinction crisis provides an opportunity to engage your local community.
9. Success at this global collaboration lays the groundwork for other global collaborations for conservation.

View the AArk site to know more.

http://www.amphibianark.org/yearofthefrog.htm