Southern African Amphibian Species Prioritization Workshop

On 28/29 April 2008, Johannesburg Zoo hosted a joint PAAZAB/Amphibian Ark species prioritization workshop. This initiative was funded by contributions from Dallas World Aquarium, Columbus Zoo, Sedgewick County Zoo, Henry Doorly Zoo of the USA and Chester Zoo of the United Kingdom.

The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Richard Gibson, Taxon Officer of the Amphibian Ark, and was attended by participants from the Universities of the North-West, Limpopo and Free State, the South Africa National Biodiversity Institute, Bayworld, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Johannesburg Zoo, Henry Doorly Zoo and PAAZAB.

Using the information taken from the Global Amphibian Assessment (www.globalamphibians.org) , a total of 155 southern African species were reviewed during the two day workshop. Of these five species are critically endangered, 16 endangered, 11 vulnerable, five near-threatened and 37 data-deficient.

The full process of the prioritization approach developed by the Amphibian Ark involves three stages: Prioritization, Authorization and Implementation. The workshop held at the Johannesburg Zoo focused solely upon the prioritization process. This process works by considering a series of questions about each species:

1. Extinction Risk according to the Global Amphibian Assessment
2. Phylogenetic Distinctiveness (“EDGE”)
3. “Role” in captivity
4. The likelihood of mitigating threats in the wild
5. Biological significance
6. Cultural or socio-economic importance
7. Scientific value

A semi-automated EXCEL spreadsheet, pre-filled with the common names, latin names, distribution and all of the above questions anchored the process and ensured that data capture occurred simultaneously as the workshop progressed.

The function of the process is to identify those species that will most benefit from ex-situ conservation action; that most urgently need ex-situ conservation action and those we most likely to succeed with. It is also important to remember that ex-situ conservation is not limited to captive-breeding (short-term for reintroduction or long-term assurance population). Research and awareness/education programmes using ex-situ populations can also make a significant contribution to Amphibian conservation.

The workshop identified four species as requiring “rescue-supplementation”; 20 species for “conservation research” and 15 species for use in “conservation education”.

The next phase to be held in the upcoming months will involve the Authorization and Implementation stages. PAAZAB members will be invited to attend scheduled meetings
to this end.

For more information, please contact Dave Morgan, davem@paazab.com

click here to view the results and outcomes
of the workshop >>

2008:Year of the Frog and PAAZAB institutions

What have we done so far as PAAZAB institutions to educate and raise awareness with regards to the plight of frogs?

(Institutions are listed alphabetically)

• Bayworld

Audio-visual exhibition incorporating

1. Posters to highlight Frog conservation
2. Recording of calls of frogs played as back-ground ‘music’
3. Large frog created by taxidermy section with a money box to raise funds for conservation
4. Public lecturers by Bayworld Herpetologist
5. On-going public programmes by snake park staff
6. Participation in Amphibian husbandry and breeding workshops

• Cheetah Outreach

1. Created poster to highlight endangered frogs in their area
2. Teacher workshops – one full day to educate them about conservation issues

• CrocWorld

1. Public talks to highlight frog conservation status and importance of frogs
2. Staff presentations to make staff aware of plight of frogs

• East London Zoo

1. Talks to school groups specifically on frogs and the 2008:YOTF
2. Talk to Herpetological club of East London as well as a frogging excursion to the Stutterheim Forest
3. Ongoing project with one school with regards to a frog poster
4. Housing 4 different frog species (not on public display) but used during educational talks

• Johannesburg Zoo

1. Educators workshops
2. Talks to school groups as well as frogs shown in Discovery Centre of the Zoo with a 6-minute DVD presentation on the Clean Rivers to Ocean exhibit and the role of frogs
3. Design of an educators resource guide available to all PAAZAB members
4. Awareness programmes through ongoing events, bill boards at the Zoo, media publications and television exposure
5. Frog breeding centre tours to small groups
6. Staff presentations to make staff aware of 2008:YOTF
7. Art competition for learners

• National Zoo – Pretoria

1. Awareness programmes through media publications
2. Housing of frogs with posters and information on behaviour enrichment for the species

• uShaka Marine World

1. Staff presentations to make staff aware of 2008:YOTF
2. Educators workshops
3. Presentations to learners
4. Media awareness through publications
5. Photo competition

• Two Oceans

a. Preparations ongoing with regards to a walk-in frog room to raise awareness and educate public and learners with regards to 2008:YOTF

Zoos and aquaria that will still get involved

• Butterfly World – busy with adding another exhibit that will include frogs
• East London Aquarium – awaiting appointment of educationist
• Mitchell Park Zoo – awaiting appointment of educationist
• REST – raising awareness of rare or unknown frogs in Namibia
• Tygerberg Zoo – possible posters to raise awareness

Resources available at the moment:

• CD with 2008:YOTF information
• Newsletter and updates sent by Dave Morgan
• Templates of posters
• Educators Resource guide and fun sheets for learners

Resources available soon

• DVD of frog breeding centre at Johannesburg Zoo

Many thanks
Louise Gordon
Education convener