Children 'Leap 4 Life' to help save some of the world's rarest animals

Up to half of the world’s amphibian species are in danger of being wiped out and over 165 types of frogs, toads and salamanders have already been lost, never to be seen again. This equates to the largest mass extinction since the disappearance of the dinosaurs.

Marwell is helping to avert this crisis and with help from school children launched ‘Leap 4 Life’ - a campaign to help save these fascinating creatures from this worldwide crisis that they now face.

The children literally did ‘Leap 4 Life’ by leaping 1892 times - each leap representing every amphibian species that may become extinct within the next few years. From a specially created FREE amphibian trail to story telling and fun activities everyone can get involved in the campaign, read on for more details…

The Park is running lots of ‘Leap 4 life’ activities including a specially created FREE amphibian trail around the Park. Children can search out Marwell’s various amphibian species and learn lots of amphibian facts, such as why does a red-eyed tree frog push its eyes into its mouth? Children can also discover how they play an important role in the ecosystem and why they are important as nature’s true indicator. The trails will be available during February half term, Easter and throughout the summer.

Many other fantastic FREE amphibian themed events will also be taking place during February half term and Easter. Children can learn about the mysterious mountain chicken frog to the common toad in special story telling sessions. Children can also colour in and make drawings to take home. It all takes place in the Park’s Education Centre at 2pm, 2.30pm and 3pm from Monday 18th till Friday 22nd February.

The amphibian crisis is mostly due to man’s destruction of their natural habitats but they now face an even bigger and deadlier threat - Amphibian Chytrid. This unstoppable fungus is spreading uncontrollably over the world and kills up to 80 percent of each amphibian species it comes into contact with.

The world’s leading conservationists have come together to declare 2008 “The Year of the Frog” and Patron of the campaign, Sir David Attenborough, realizes the importance that parks, like Marwell can make: “The global zoo and aquarium community has taken on the challenge with enthusiasm and is providing appropriate facilities and breeding grounds within their institutions.”

Marwell is building one of these facilities, a special bio-secure amphibian centre, in anticipation of receiving a high priority species that without help is certain to become extinct. Geoff Read, Section Manager for Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates believes that the centre is vital:” Until a cure is developed to stop the fungus the safekeeping and captive management of threatened amphibians is the only way to ensure their long-term survival.  Once the threat has been controlled it is hoped many species will be released back into the wild.”

Marwell already holds Europe’s only collection of the once thought to be extinct, Puerto Rican crested toad. Just four years ago less than 100 toads were living in its native Puerto Rican habitat but with successful re-introductions of captive-bred tadpoles their numbers are on the increase - just one example of how parks and collections around the world are making a difference.

Sir David Attenborough continues: “Without an immediate and sustained conservation effort to support captive management, hundreds of species of these wonderful creatures could become extinct in our own lifetime.”

Image above is of a Chachi tree frog and is courtsey of Gerardo Garcia - gerardowildlink.com

Image on home page is a Lemur leaf frog and is courtesy of Ron Holt -Atlant

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