Hamilton Zoo does its bit to save frogs as national campaign launched

Hamilton Zoo is doing its bit to protect a ‘vulnerable’ species of frog, as a national public awareness and fundraising campaign is being launched this week to help address amphibian extinctions.

The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Conservation Union have declared 2008 Year of the Frog. The national Year of the Frog campaign was launched at the annual CMaG: ARAZPA NZ Conference in Paihia yesterday and will run until June 2009.

Worldwide almost half of all amphibian species are threatened with extinction. This global amphibian crisis is the single largest mass extinction since the disappearance of the dinosaurs.

The Year of the Frog campaign has two main objectives: raise awareness by highlighting ways people can become involved and raise funds for frog conservation. Collectively, members of the Australasian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria (ARAZPA) seek to raise A$400,000 – representing $0.03 per paying visitor.

NZ zoos and aquariums will implement a range of initiatives to meet the objectives of the campaign, with the public encouraged to assist the cause by visiting their local zoo and/or aquarium.

Hamilton Zoo is home to a group of Hochstetter’s frog – one of the only four living species of frog native to New Zealand. Historically this species were found throughout the North Island and part of the South Island, however are only now found in the northern half of the North Island. While they are the most widespread of our remaining native frog species, they are still threatened with extinction – they are listed as ‘Vulnerable’ in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List 2006.

The Hochstetter’s Frogs at Hamilton Zoo are being used to determine captive breeding and rearing techniques for the species. There is daily monitoring of the enclosures for any problems like sick frogs, while every two months the enclosures are searched in order to get a total count and record measurements and weights. As the frogs are nocturnal, night visits to the enclosures enable the frogs to be seen active with little disturbance.

“This is just one example of the ways we contribute to wildlife conservation at Hamilton Zoo,” said Hamilton Zoo Director Stephen Standley.

“If Hochstetter’s frog numbers do decline further, knowledge of these techniques could be vital to ensure their continued survival.”