Fota helps to prevent frogs from leaping into extinction
That’s according to a new report by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), which promotes the values of good zoos, parks, and aquariums.
These creatures are among some of the top 10 most endangered species of reptiles and amphibians benefiting from the aid in Britain and Ireland.
BIAZA says places like the Cork wildlife park are some of the best examples of how zoos, parks, and aquariums are safeguarding the future of our planet’s wildlife and their habitats.
The trio includes a frog known as the Mountain Chicken. It is one of the largest frogs in the world and is a critically endangered species. Native to Central America and parts of Mexico, one of the reasons it is so endangered is that it tastes like chicken and has been hunted for its meat for generations.
The other endangered frogs thriving at Fota are Morelet’s leaf frogs. These striking lime-green creatures with a pink or orange underbelly are rapidly disappearing as their forest habitat is destroyed in Central America.
They have incredible jet black eyes with no discernible iris and wide webbing between their toes which allows them to parachute between trees.
The third is the Axolotl. The amphibian retains a tadpole-like appearance, even as an adult. It has an amazing ability to regenerate whole limbs or organs if it needs to.
But it is vulnerable to water-quality changes and is critically endangered, mainly due to high levels of pollution in its last remaining stronghold in Mexico.
Dr Andrew Marshall, of BIAZA’s field programmes committee, who co-ordinated the compilation of the list with input from conservation experts, said: “Zoos are part of a global conservation community. Last year, BIAZA published a report on the top 10 mammals most reliant on zoos, which highlighted the work being done by zoos to help safeguard their future. This year, we have focused on 10 prevailing examples of reptiles and amphibians that zoos are working to save from extinction.”
He thanked places like Fota Wildlife Park not only for conservation breeding of safety-net populations , but also for their contribution to funding and management of conservation projects in the field, including research, education and support for local communities, as well as protection of crucial wildlife habitats.
