The Alliance (Summer 2014)

Volume 1, Number 2 AMPHIBIAN SURVIVAL ALLIANCE NEWSLETTER

the alliance

Summer 2014

The world’s largest partnership for amphibian conservation

ACHIEVING

Aichi Biodiversity Target 12

HOW-TO GUIDE

Setting up an Amphibian Program

ACSAM2 A New Meeting for Amphibian Conservation in Madagascar

An Alliance of Action An update on conservation actions supported around the world by the Amphibian Survival Alliance Boophis viridis © Robin Moore

What’s Inside

Volume 1, Number 2 Summer 2014

3 Strength in Numbers 4 An Update on Conservation Action Supported Around the World 5 100 Partners and Growing 6 Achieving Aichi Biodiversity Target 12

Conservation 7 Creating Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve

Eleutherodactylus glandulifer © Robin Moore

7 Protecting Ankaratra Massif, Madagascar 8 Protecting the Lower Kinabatangan Floodplains, Borneo 10 Three Threatened Frogs Protected in Vast New Protected Area Around the Antisana Volcano in Ecuador 12 Announcing the Creation of the Chamicero de Perijá Nature Reserve, Colombia 13 A New Meeting for Amphibian Conservation in Madagascar: ACSAM2

Research 15 ASA to Take a Bold Step in Supporting the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species During its 50th Year Anniversary 15 ASA to Launch Collaborative Seed Grant Program 16 Disease Mitigation Update

Education 17 The Frog Next Door: Amphibian Portraits from Around the World

Partner Showcase 18 Guatemalan Government Creates 47,00 acre Sierra Caral Protected Area 20 Developing Baw Baw Frog Husbandry at Zoos Victoria - Melbourne Zoo 22 How-to Guide: Setting up an Amphibian Program 24 Accelerating the Push to Ban Amphibian-Killing Pesticides 25 Native Frog (Leiopelma spp.) Recovery Plan, 2013–2018 25 Societas Europaea Herpetologica 26 Amphibian Ark 27 A Leaping Success

Boophis viridis © Robin Moore

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The world’s largest partnership for amphibian conservation

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

5,860

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Hectares Protected

Grants Awarded

$318,510.22 Invested

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Priority Species Supported

The world’s largest partnership for amphibian conservation is now 100 strong and continues to grow. The following organizations are recognized for their ongoing commitment to amphibian conservation.

Zoologial Society of London

Comision Nacional para el Conocimiento y uso de la Biodiversidad

Reptile and Amphibian Program - Sierra Leone

Herpetological League

Meet Your Neighbours

Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History

Reptielen Amfibieën en Vissen Onderzoek Nederland

Reptilicious

iNaturalist

Herpin Time Radio

Frame of Mind

Potmarge Amphibian Connectivity Project

ISCA Diagnostics

Detroit Zoological Society

Insituexsitu

IUCN Species Survival Commission Conservation Breeding Specialist Group European Association of Zoos and Aquaria Nordens Ark World Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Alliance for Zero Extinction

DGHT - German Society of Herpetologists and Herp Breeders

Indigenous Forest Research Organization for Global Sustainability

Bristol Zoo Gardens

Defenders of Wildlife

Mhadei Research Station

Burgers’ Zoo

Togolese Society for Nature Conservation

Toad NUTS

Synchroncity Earth Faunam El Colegio de la Frontera Sur Swedish Association of Zoos

Youth-LeadeR

Municipio Berriozábal

Cameroon Herpetology-Conservation Biology Foundation

Animal Demography Unit

Municipio San Cristóbal

Wildlife Harmonies

Andrew Sabin Family Foundation

Natura Servis

Crees Foundation

North Shore Wetland Partners Society

Red Anfibios Chiapas

Balance

IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group

Secretaría de Medio Ambiente e Historia Natural Chiapas

AmphibiaWeb

1% for the Planet

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

Friends of Target 12

Swedish Zoo Association Global Wildlife Conservation University of Otago Rainforest Trust Rainforest Alliance Amphibian Ark ANIMA MUNDI—Adventures in Wildlife Photography

Societas Herpetologica Europaea

Terraviva Grants Directory Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group

Society for Research on Amphibians and Reptiles in New Zealand

KonectIDY Madagasikara Voakajy

The Biodiversity Group TSTP.tv

Quantum Rush Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles

Fauna & Flora International Pura Vida Bracelets Ya’axché Conservation Trust

Center for Biological Diversity

Universidad Politecnica de Chiapas

Liquidspark, Inc. Osprey LLC

Conserve It Forward

Zoos Victoria

Auckland Zoo Conservation Evidence

A-Team for Wildlife

Frankfurt Zoo

Honduran Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Center

Universidad de Ciencias y Artes de Chiapas

The Wandering Herpetologist

Endangered Wildlife Trust

Save The Salamanders

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy

Herp-Ghana

Hamilton Zoo

SaveTheFrogs!-Ghana

Société pour la Conservation des Amphibens de Madagascar

Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation

Third Millennium Alliance Tropical Herping Bd-Maps Biodiversity Research and Conservation Foundation

The world’s largest partnership for amphibian conservation

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An Update on Conservation Action Supported Around the World The Amphibian Survival Alliance is an alliance of action. Having spent the last 12 months building support and funding, we are now well into the phase of actively supporting conservation actions on the ground. We will use this introductory article to provide a brief summary on the major activities that have been directly and financially supported by the Alliance. Subsequent articles within each Newsletter will provide more details and updates on these projects, as well as highlight the other conservation actions taken by Alliance Partners.

Please remember that the actions of the Alliance follow the recommendations of the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group and always prioritize the conservation of species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

to ensure that the global network of new protected areas for Threatened amphibians continues to grow.

We measure our impact in several ways but within the Newsletter we will be tracking four major metrics:

Leapfrog Conservation Fund: USD $40,000 to support Fundación ProAves in the protection of 3,305 hectares of one of the most critical highelevation areas in the Serranía de Perijá. Surveys have confirmed that it is home to many of the endemic species known to exist in the Serranía de Perijá, and planned surveys hold the potential to discover new species (including amphibians) in the area.

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Number of grants and awards

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Dollar Value

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Priority species directly supported

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Hectares protected

The first two metrics are straight forward so we will move on to explaining how we report metrics 3 and 4.

For a species to be recorded under metric 3, the Alliance will have had to directly support action designed to improve the conservation status of that species. Many of our research grants cover broad topics addressing many species. We will therefore not usually include these research projects in metric 3. In contrast, habitat and ex-situ projects are often targeted towards a single or discrete number of species and will, therefore, be included.

A site will not be reported under metric 4 (Hectares Protected) until the site has been formally protected and assessed as being an effective conservation tool forthe target species. So, although we might invest in a project in year 1, the site might not be included in this metric for three or four years.

With this in mind, we expect to see this number grow slowly at first but, within a few years, begin to increase at a steady rate as our joint investments are assessed as having the desired impact. We feel that this method of reporting under metric 4 is important in order to maintain transparency and research-based, objective evaluation by experts in the field. Habitat conservation projects will usually be supported through the Leapfrog Conservation Fund which is supported directly by the Rainforest Trust, Global Wildlife Conservation, Andrew Sabin Family Foundation and the ASA who work closely with additional national and international partners 4

The world’s largest partnership for amphibian conservation

Since the last edition of the Alliance Newsletter we have supported the following: Travel Grants: Three travel grants totaling USD $5510.22 provided to amphibian researchers to support travel to amphibian related meetings.

Research Grant: USD $16,000 to researchers in Costa Rica, Brazil, and USA to explore the agrochemical updraft hypothesis for mass amphibian extinctions in high elevations of the Neotropics.

Research Grant: USD $15,000 to Dr Reid Harris to determine which bacterial species from the skins of Malagasy frogs can act as skin probiotics.

Leapfrog Conservation Fund: USD $80,000 was raised to support Fundación Jocotoco in the purchase of 2,470 hectares of critical wildlife habitat in Ecuador, home to three Threatened frogs and the Andean Condor.

Leapfrog Conservation Fund: The first installment of USD $20,000 was channelled to ASA Partner the Center for Sustainability to start the process of designating the 40,000 hectare Cleopatra’s Needle Reserve in Palawan, the Philippines, home to three Threatened amphibian species and the last 200 members of the Batak tribe.

Leapfrog Conservation Fund: USD $10,000 to support the expansion of a a private protected area home to the Orang Utan and three amphibians new to science in the Kinabangan Floodplains through partner Hutan in Borneo.

Leapfrog Conservation Fund: USD $25,000 to support the protection of Ankaratra Massif in Madagascar, home to two Critically Endangered Amphibians.

More information on these and other Alliance projects can be found on our website. The website is designed to showcase all Alliance members’ projects so please contact Candace Hansen with your recent amphibian conservation successes!

Don Church, Executive Director Amphibian Survival Alliance

100 Partners and Growing We are excited to announce that two organizations confirmed their involvement with the Alliance on the same day, making both, Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) and Auckland Zoo tied for the honorary 100th Partner distinction.

Although PARC and the ASA have been working together over the past several years on a number of activities and campaigns, including the 2014 Year of the Salamander, it was not until this month that PARC formally entered into a partnership with the Alliance. In addition to this new partnership, the Alliance was also elected to the PARC Joint National Steering Committee to serve as the NGO representative, helping to further strengthen this relationship.

“We have always been very impressed with PARC and have often looked at their organizational model when building the Alliance, so to have this formal partnership is a great step forward for amphibian conservation,” said James Lewis, Director of Operations for the Alliance. “We are looking forward to working closely with PARC to further their priority actions and the priority actions identified under ASA’s updated Amphibian Conservation Action Plan,” continued James.

Auckland Zoo is another exciting partnership that we have been looking forward to formalizing. New Zealand is not well known for its amphibians.

There are just four species (or three depending upon your taxonomic affiliations) but they are four frogs of some distinction and include the Archey’s frog (Leiopelma archeyi), which of course enjoys the dubious distinction of ‘No.1 EDGE Species.’

On joining the Alliance, Richard Gibson, Curator of Ectotherms & Birds at Auckland Zoo stated “Auckland Zoo holds the world’s only ex situ population of Archey’s frog and in a year when we celebrated the first successful breeding and rearing of this small, brown but very remarkable frog we are excited to be welcomed into the growing community of the Amphibian Survival Alliance.”

As long-time supporters of amphibian conservation in New Zealand and internationally through the work of the Amphibian Ark, Auckland Zoo recognizes amphibian conservation as a priority on local, national and global scales and is committed to helping secure a future where people value wildlife and amphibians, indeed all species, are safe from extinction.

It is these core values aimed at the conservation of amphibian diversity that the Alliance fosters amongst a growing community. With 100+ Partners, ranging from foundations and large conservation NGOs to local community actions groups and citizen science programs, the Alliance has a broad reach and the potential for significant impact.

During the last year we have implemented habitat conservation efforts, invested in research and have begun to expand our education and communication programs. What comes next will be a direct result of the collaborative power of the Alliance and organizations willingness to work together in shared issues of concern.

By joining the Alliance, each Partner is not only demonstrating their dedication to stopping the amphibian extinction crisis, but also providing the much needed support to drive initiatives forward and on to success. Our Partners believe that inaction and indifference to this crisis are unacceptable and that we must all work together to restore populations of Threatened amphibian species within their natural ecosystems worldwide.

We know that there is strength in partnerships.

Everyone can have a role in helping the Alliance save amphibians around the world and to find out more about how you can get involved please contact us.

This is a new and exciting time for amphibian conservation and research and we look forward to working with each of you to make the changes we all want to see.

Hylomantis lemur © Robin Moore The world’s largest partnership for amphibian conservation

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Achieving Aichi Biodiversity Target 12 In 2010, nearly 200 countries that support the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) agreed on 20 Targets to save biodiversity and enhance its benefits for people and committed to meet them by 2020.

species, the Amphibian RLA launched a new and improved Amphibian Assessment Forum online platform.

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Last year saw a total of 412 amphibian extinction risk assessments and reassessments submitted and published on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. A total of 205 amphibian assessments and reassessments have already been submitted for Red List version 2014.

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In May of this year, Guatemala’s National Congress created the Sierra Caral National Protected Area, making it the nation’s first federally protected area to be established in seven years. The core of the new 47,000-acre protected area is the Sierra Caral Amphibian Conservation Reserve. A consortium of more than twenty international conservation organizations raised the funds needed to purchase the original amphibian reserve. Critical support also came from the Amphibian Survival Alliance.

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A consortium of partners including the Amphibian Survival Alliance, Rainforest Trust (RT), Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC), Andrew Sabin Family Foundation and the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) came together to enable local partner Fundación Jocotoco to purchase 6,100 acres of critical wildlife habitat in Antisana, Ecuador. The mammoth property acquisition will create a permanent refuge for three threatened species of frogs from the genus Pristimantis found nowhere else and the largest population of Andean Condors in the Northern Andes. The total protected area by this group amounts to approximately 270,000 acres.

Aichi Biodiversity Target 12 in particular reads: “By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species has been prevented and their conservation status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and sustained.”

Last month, the IUCN has prepared an information (INF) paper on Target 12 for the CBD WGRI5 and SBSTTA18 meetings in Montreal. The aim of this paper is to provide information that would assist the Parties in working towards the achievement of Target 12. It focuses on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, other National Red Lists; Species Action Plans; and Action on the Ground.

This paper features updated information on the progress made by Friends of Target 12 towards the achievement of Target 12, including a progress report from the Amphibian Survival Alliance.

In 2013, the Amphibian Survival Alliance made a bold move to align our vision with that of Target 12. We envision a world in which the extinction of known Threatened species of amphibians has been prevented and their conservation status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and sustained. Target 12 now underpins our every action as an Alliance.

Over the course of the next two years, we will be investing in the conservation of a range of species at priority sites around the world. With the launch of the Leapfrog Conservation Fund, a multimilliondollar annual habitat conservation fund, we are now well positioned to help our Partners drive forward urgent projects.

In addition to habitat protection, the Alliance has been actively funding work to reduce and research the negative impact of diseases and exotoxins to amphibians. Additionally, as this is the 50th year of the Red List, we are actively fundraising for the upkeep of the amphibians on the Red List while directly supporting the reassessment of species affected by our projects.

You can download the full paper with all updates here.

The Amphibian Survival Alliance’s vision is fully aligned with Target 12 and the Alliance is therefore well positioned to help the CBD Parties meet their commitment to saving biodiversity.

By focusing on amphibians, and the sites and habitats upon which they depend, the ASA is working to improve the quality of life for amphibians, for other wildlife (biodiversity) and for people around the world.

Some of our recent achievements towards achieving Target 12 include: •

Remote training on the Red List methodology and associated tools was completed by 23 Amphibian Red List Authority members, 10 interns and two Amphibian RLA institutional partners from 2013 to date.

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To facilitate collaboration between RLA members and the wider herpetological community on the assessment or reassessment of amphibian

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The world’s largest partnership for amphibian conservation

Ceratobatrachus guentheri © Robin Moore

Conservation

Project Updates Creating Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve Philippine partners the Center for Sustainability are progressing well in their work to create Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve on the island of Palawan.

The forest is home to threatened species including the Palawan Horned frog (Megophrys ligayae) and Philippine Flat-headed frog (Barbourula busuangensis), as well as the last 200 members of the indigenous Batak tribe. We are happy to report that six out of seven of the Barangay (the native Filipino term for a village or district) resolutions have been signed and clearances have already been received from two of the four Tribal villages involved in the project.

Protecting Ankaratra Massif, Madagascar Our Malagasy partners Vondrona Ivon’ny Fampandrosoana have recently secured Environmental Permits needed to establish a new protected area to safeguard over 8,000 hectares (20,000 acres) of unique forest habitat for two threatened amphibians— Williams’ Bright-eyed Frog (Boophis williamsi) and Madagascar Frog (Mantidactylus pauliani) —in the Ankaratra Massif of Madagagascar.

This accomplishment marks a major milestone towards achieving official designation as a National Protected Area for this incredible forest.

The world’s largest partnership for amphibian conservation

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Conservation

Protecting the Lower Kinabatangan Floodplains, Borneo

The Amphibian Survival Alliance recently supported an appeal by the World Land Trust to raise $1.7 million to enable local partners HUTAN to purchase and protect critical rainforest habitat in the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain of Sabah, Borneo. “The rapid expansion of palm oil plantations in Borneo has resulted in an unprecedented destruction of the island’s unique and rich tropical rainforests, putting the future of the Bornean Orangutan [and many other species] in serious jeopardy,” said Dr. Paul Salaman, CEO of Rainforest Trust, who played a pivotal role in organizing and raising support for the project.

Two corridors totaling 894 acres (362 hectares) have been purchased as a result of the appeal, protecting a wide variety of habitats including mangroves, swamps, oxbow lakes, dipterocarp forest and limestone outcrops. The diversity of these habitats undoubtedly contributes to the

region’s exceptional biodiversity. Hutan and the University of Melbourne recently conducted a survey of amphibians in the area, recording a total of 29 frog species from 5 families, among which at least 12 species are endemic to Borneo. One of the most striking species in the area is the beautiful Spotted Tree Frog, Nyctixalus pictus, currently listed on the IUCN Red List as Near Threatened.

The lead researcher, Dr Gillespie, has stated that Bornean populations of the non-endemic species are likely to eventually be taxonomically split from others after in-depth molecular biology studies. Importantly, three previously undescribed arboreal frog species were discovered, one of which, belonging to the genus Chiromantis, is the first and only member of this genus in Borneo. The other undescribed species of frog (both belonging to the genus Philautus) were also located in the wider corridor within Keruak VJR. Specimens have been

LUCY COOKE, Zoologist/Filmmaker from National Geographic There are a lot of people out there who, like me, really love amphibians and are deeply concerned by the current extinction crisis. ASA is a very timely and exciting push by some of the smartest people in amphibian conservation to unite global frog love and save these extraordinary creatures.

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The world’s largest partnership for amphibian conservation

Conservation collected and sent to the Sabah Museum to be formally described and named.

Many other endangered species will also benefit from this project, including the endangered Orangutan, Bornean pygmy elephant, Malayan sun bear and Proboscis monkey, in addition to 300 species of birds. The project site is also vitally important for local

people who depend on tourism for their livelihoods through provision of accommodation and guiding services. The ultimate goal for all of the properties within the corridor is to include them as part of the existing Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary to protect a mosaic of habitats in perpetuity.

Spotted tree frog, Nyctixalus pictus, Near Threatened

Orang-utan Š Edwin Giesbers The world’s largest partnership for amphibian conservation

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Conservation

Announcing the Creation of the Chamicero de Perijá Nature Reserve, Colombia

Cañon del Perija © Rainforest Trust

A coalition of conservation groups, including Rainforest Trust, Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC), ASA and local partners ProAves, has established the Chamicero de Perijá Nature Reserve, the first protected area in northern Colombia’s Serranía de Perijá mountain range.

“The new reserve is globally important, as it is recognized as an Alliance for Zero Extinction site.

The incredible fauna and flora include many species found nowhere else in the world,” said Dr. Wes Sechrest, Chief Scientist and CEO of Global Wildlife Conservation.

In response to the looming threat of losing prime habitat for birds and amphibians – only five percent of rainforest is left on the Colombian side of the Serranía de Perijá mountain range – ProAves swiftly acquired 11 properties to establish the new 1,850acre Reserve. The reserve protects a pristine cloud forest environment that includes critical habitat for threatened wildlife. “Without this reserve, the chances are high that within a few years nothing would be left of the spectacular forests that once covered Colombia’s Serranía de Perijá,” said Dr. Paul Salaman, CEO of Rainforest Trust.

The Chamicero de Perijá Nature Reserve will protect one of the best-preserved tracts of forest remaining in Colombia’s Serranía de Perijá. It also protects two watersheds that are vital for the city of Valledupar and several towns in the otherwise arid Cesar Department. “This reserve is a win for everyone.

Not only is it going to be a permanent lifeline for the region’s many endemic species that have nowhere else to go, but it is also a major victory for nearby cities and towns that will benefit for years from the water it provides,” said Dr. Salaman.

Due to a history of difficulties conducting research in the area, the Serranía de Perijá remains one of the least-known natural environments in the Northern Andes. Field research by ProAves has confirmed its importance as a stronghold for many endemic and rapidly declining species, including three endangered and endemic species of birds 10

The world’s largest partnership for amphibian conservation

Project partners extend special thanks for the support of Luanne Lemmer and Eric Veach, Robert Giles, Edith McBean and Hank Lowenstein, Larry Thompson, Charles and Jennifer Thornton-Kolbe, Partnership for International Birding, Stephen Schutz, Brett Byers, Ted and Kay Reissing, UrsPeter Stäuble, Gwen Brewer, Our Children’s Earth Foundation and the Sangreal Foundation.

Conservation

Only five percent of rainforest is left on the Colombian side of the Serranía de Perijá mountain range. © Rainforest Trust

Recurve-billed bushbird from the Serranía de Perijá. © Alejandro Grajales/ProAves.

The world’s largest partnership for amphibian conservation

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Conservation

Three Threatened Frogs Protected in Vast New Protected Area Around the Antisana Volcano in Ecuador A consortium of partners including the Amphibian Survival Alliance, Rainforest Trust, Global Wildlife Conservation, Andrew Sabin Family Foundation and American Bird Conservancy have joined forces to enable local partner Fundación Jocotoco to purchase 6,100 acres of critical wildlife habitat in Ecuador, bringing the total area protected by this group to approximately 270,000 acres.

The new acquisition of the area called Antisanilla will provide a permanent refuge for three threatened species of frogs found nowhere else—Pristimantis acerus, Pristimantis ignicolor and Pristimantis lividus and a recent four-day survey resulted in a new record for the area of the endangered San Lucas Marsupial frog, Gastrotheca pseustes, a species that is restricted to Ecuador’s paramo grasslands above 6,500 feet. The area is also home to the largest single population of condors in the Northern Andes, and is also frequented by Cougars, Spectacled bears and the endangered Woolly tapir.

tinued to be farmed, and wildlife was increasingly threatened by over-grazing, fires, and poaching.

Now, the mosaic of alpine grasslands, rugged canyons, and tropical forests has been purchased and will enjoy strict protection within the Antisana Ecological Reserve, forming one of the greatest protected areas in the Tropical Andes. Local partners will continue to survey for additional amphibian species and are in the process of developing a management plan to ensure that the environment is optimized for these rare species through measures such as removing cattle from fragile native grassland and curtailing poaching through patrolling by park guards.

“The purchase of multiple properties around Volcan Antisana represents one of the greatest conservation victories ever in the Andes of South America,” said Dr. Robert Ridgely, President of Rainforest Trust and a driving force behind this conservation success.

The glaciers of the 3.5 mile high Antisana Volcano give way to unique highland steppe and descend into lush subtropical forests on the Andean slopes and into Amazonian rainforest. Located just 20 miles from Quito, this enormous but undeveloped area first attracted the attention of conservationists in the 1980s. The Ecuadorian government declared it an ecological reserve in 1993, but the area remained in private hands. Much of the land con-

© Jocotoco

© Jocotoco

San Lucas Marsupial frog (Gastrotheca pseustes). © Jocotoco

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The world’s largest partnership for amphibian conservation

Conservation

A New Meeting for Amphibian Conservation in Madagascar: ACSAM2

By Franco Andreone, John E. Cadle, Angelica Crottini, Jeff Dawson, Eileen Larney, Falitiana C.E. Rabemananjara, Sahondra Rabesihanaka, Nirhy Rabibisoa, Eric Rabsomanitrandrasana, Tsanta F. Rakotonanahary, and Gonçalo M. Rosa

Aglyptodactylus madagascariensi. © Franco Andreone

The frogs of Madagascar constitute one of the richest groups of amphibians in the world with more than 290 described species (1), though some estimate there may be more than 400, with several new species being described annually. Of these around 99% of species and 88% of genera are endemic to Madagascar and its inshore islands ranking the country third in the world for number of endemic amphibian fauna. Most of these species belong to two highly successful radiations of astonishing eco-morphological and reproductive diversity.

However like amphibians around the world Madagascar’s amphibian fauna is under threat with around 25% of all described species listed as globally Threatened on the IUCN Red List, though no recent extinctions have been recorded yet. Habitat loss and degradation is the main threat facing these species, with collecting for the international pet trade also likely, though not yet documented, to impact heavily on certain species. Recently the discovery of the the fungus that causes the deadly disease chytridiomycosis was reported in some exported Malagasy frogs and highlights a new, potentially devastating threat to the country’s amphibian fauna. Together with the recent discovery of an invasive alien toad spreading in the north-east of Madagascar these are posing new challenges to amphibian conservation in Madagascar.

The conservation of Malagasy amphibians has long been an important issue, with the need for coordination and collaboration between researchers

and stakeholders repeatedly stressed. This in the running of ‘A Conservation Strategy for the Amphibians of Madagascar’ (ACSAM) in 2006 in Antananarivo, Madagascar (2). Attended by over 100 biologists and key people from major conservation organisations and Government this workshop was an important step in the national implementation of the international Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (ACAP).

One crucial output from the 2006 ACSAM was the production of the Sahonagasy Action Plan (SAP) in 2008, the first national action plan for amphibians in Madagascar (2). Synthesising the discussions, opinions and outcomes of the meeting the SAP outlined the recommendations and activities required to secure the survival of Madagascar’s amphibian fauna over a five year period.

Since the SAP was published there has been some significant progress made. Among these are: 1. The implementation of a web platform enabling information management and citizen-science; 2. The publication of a comprehensive field guide of the amphibians and reptiles of Madagascar in the local Malagasy language; 3. The inclusion of amphibians as a target group in scientific proposals for reserve planning in Madagascar; 4. Securing most of the Critically Endangered species within the Malagasy Protected Areas The world’s largest partnership for amphibian conservation

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Conservation Network called SAPM (Système des Aires Protegées de Madagascar); 5. Undertaking regular monitoring at some very important high altitude sites (e.g. Ankaratra), where data on species distribution and abundance has been collected over several years; 6. The creation of breeding ponds for the Critically Endangered Mantella aurantiaca; 7. The first in-country captive breeding facilities have been established at Andasibe by Association Mitsinjo and Parc Ivoloina by Madagascar Fauna and Flora Group; 8. The implementation of a proactive national chytrid monitoring program across eight sites in the country (3); 9. The implementation of a probiotic program to combat the effects of chytrid.

Despite these successes, not all targeted actions have been implemented, with around a third of the targeted actions listed being fully implemented and another third only partially implemented (4).

The difficulties encountered by the SAP during this period included (but were not limited to) the political instability of Madagascar and the need to align research actions with conservation priorities, which is not always feasible to pursue. It is hoped, however, that, with the first elections taking place since then, there will be an alleviation of some of the difficulties faced during the previous five years.

Even so, Madagascar’s amphibian fauna is still as threatened as ever, perhaps even more so.

Therefore, we feel that eight years on from the first ACSAM there is an urgent need to review and update the SAP. To this end, the Ministère de l’Environnement, de l’Ecologie et des Forêts de Madagascar, Amphibian Specialist Group - Madagascar, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (Durrell) and Centre ValBio are organising ACSAM2. This will be held at Centre ValBio in Ranomafana from 19-22 November 2014. Easily reachable by car from Antananarivo, Centre ValBio is a state of the art research station has excellent

workshop and conference facilities and successfully hosted the 2013 International Prosimian Congress.

Around 70 national and international participants (including officers of the Alliance) will be attending which will allow the consolidation and presentation of the results obtained in the intervening years, review progress, gather new ideas and identify targets for the forthcoming years to conserve the amphibian megadiversity of Madagascar (5).

So far, a significant proportion of the funds for ACSAM2 have been raised through Durrell, the Societas Herpetological Italica and other stakeholders gathered with the support of the Amphibian Survival Alliance.

Papers and contributions presented at the workshop will be published as extended summaries in FrogLog and on the web. Outputs following the workshop will include an updated ACSAM and Sahonagasy Action Plan along with news articles in appropriate publications. Ultimately, we hope that that ACSAM2 will galvanise collaborative and coordinated action for the conservation of Malagasy amphibians.

References: 1. AmphibiaWeb, www.amphibiaweb.org (2014) 2. F. Andreone, H. Randriamahazo Eds. Sahonagasy Action Plan. Conservation Strategies for the Amphibians of Madagascar. (Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Conservation International, IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. Turin, Italy. 2008) 3. C. Weldon et al. Pre-emptive national monitoring plan for detecting the amphibian chytrid fungus in Madagascar. EcoHealth DOI: 10.1007/s10393-013-0869-8 (2013) 4. F. Andreone et al. Saving the diverse Malagasy amphibian fauna: where are we four years after the implementation of the Sahonagasy Action Plan. Alytes 29(1-4): 44-58 (2012).

5. F. Andreone et al. The challenge of conserving amphibian megadiversity in Madagascar. PLoS Biol 6: e118 (2008).

Guibemantis timidus © Franco Andreone

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The world’s largest partnership for amphibian conservation

Research

ASA to Take a Bold Step in Supporting the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species During its 50th Year Anniversary If you work in the field of biodiversity conservation as either a practitioner or funder, chances are you are pretty familiar with The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

As practitioners, we regularly use and feed into the process and use the “Red List” to help guide our priority setting processes. As funders, it is often a vital tool to help guide how financially limited resources can best be invested.

The Amphibian Survival Alliance is no different.

Because we use the Red List to help guide our conservation strategies and our financial investments, we are intimately aware of its importance in our field. The IUCN Red List, however, needs resources to operate, and unfortunately relatively few users of the IUCN Red List support its operations directly (The IUCN Red List is primarily project-funded).

In light of this, the ASA is making a formal commitment to financially support the reassessment or assessment of Threatened and Data Deficient species whose conservation we actively support through our work. In practice, what this will mean is that for every grant we provide that is likely to impact the conservation status of one or more species, we will provide financial support to the IUCN SSC Amphibian Red List Authority to reassess the species in question.

Based on recent calculations, this should cost approximately USD $75 per species, a number we believe is of extremely good value for the incredible service the IUCN Red List provides. With this move, we are actively encouraging our partners around the world to follow suit and support the upkeep of the IUCN Red List in the same way. Your support will not only help with the maintenance of the IUCN Red List, but will improve its effectiveness as a conservation tool, while providing an efficient metric with which funders can assess the impact of their investments.

ASA to Launch Collaborative Seed Grant Program Seed grants, which are small funds often between USD$500–$2,000, are frequently seen as a vital funding source to kick start projects and encourage innovative approaches to addressing conservation issues. As such, the Alliance is eager to establish a fund and have regular Seed Grants to help continue the development of innovative approaches to addressing the amphibian conservation challenges of today.

We have already secured some limited funding for this initiative but are looking to work with Alliance partners like yourself to match funding and develop collaborative Seed Grants. The Alliance will aim to match funds 1:1 with all Alliance Partners interested in joining resources. If your organization has +$500 that they would like to see matched and invested in a Seed Grant program let us know.

Boophis goudoti © Robin Moore

LENA M LINDÉN, Chief Executive Officer for Nordens Ark There is not any other class of creatures that has such wide direct symbiotic benefits to humans as the amphibians, ranging from potential cancer and HIV cures to pest control. The ASA is a true effort to ensure their survival into our future.

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Research

Disease Mitigation Update they now have a total of 1000 frogs in 120 species sampled for potential skin probiotics. Molly and Reid are working to isolate frog skin bacteria and test them against Bd to see which ones can inhibit the fungus. Currently, they have 800 bacterial isolates from 130 frogs. This process will take several months to complete.

A recent article in the journal Current Biology reports that small planktonic organisms in streams and ponds consume Bd. This observation may lead to research into whether augmenting plankton in aquatic ecosystems can help control Bd.

Pure cultures of bacteria isolated from Malagasy frogs. The different colors are due to bacterially-produced metabolites, which may inhibit Bd. Š Molly Bletz

With a recent report in the journal PLOS ONE that the lethal amphibian chytrid fungus Bd may be in Madagascar, it is becoming increasing urgent to focus on disease mitigation strategies. Amphibians house anti-Bd bacteria on their skins and Dr Reid Harris (ASA Director of International Disease Mitigation) and his students are working to identify these bacteria and augment them on at-risk amphibian species. Reid’s collaborator Molly Bletz completed a second sampling trip in Madagascar in January and February 2014, so between two trips

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The world’s largest partnership for amphibian conservation

Ultimately, several strategies used in concert such as using probiotics and plankton may be needed to control Bd and prevent catastrophic declines of Malagasy frogs.

References: Kolby, J. E. (2014). Presence of the Amphibian Chytrid Fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Native Amphibians Exported from Madagascar. PloS one, 9(3), e89660.

Schmeller, D. S., Blooi, M., Martel, A., Garner, T. W., Fisher, M. C., Azemar, F., ... & Pasmans, F. (2014).

Microscopic aquatic predators strongly affect infection dynamics of a globally emerged pathogen.

Current Biology, 24(2), 176-180.

Education

The Frog Next Door: Amphibian Portraits from Around the World the subject as an individual rather than a species.

Their own form constitutes the composition. Seen this way, animals and plants we thought we knew reveal another side of themselves, encourage a second glance, perhaps even renewed interest.”

The Amphibians, which opens with introductions

by Clay Bolt and ASA Conservation Officer Dr. Robin Moore, is a visual treat of kaleidoscopic colours and tantalizing textures – a true celebration of the beauty and diversity of frogs and salamanders, and an invitation to reconnect with these wonderful creatures. Please enjoy, and share widely.

Download The Amphibians eBook today for free here.

The Amphibians is a stunning new eBook featuring photographs of amphibians against a luminous white background from around the world, brought to you through a novel collaboration between the Amphibian Survival Alliance and Meet Your Neighbours, a worldwide photography project reconnecting people with the wildlife on their own doorsteps.

Of the photographic technique featured throughout the book, Meet Your Neighbours Co-Founder Clay Bolt says: “A brilliantly-lit white background removes the context, encouraging appreciation of

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Guatemalan Government Creates 47,00 acre Sierra Caral Protected Area

Guatemala brook frog, Duellmanohyla soralia, from the Sierra Caral of Guatemala. © Robin Moore

By Joe Lowe

Guatemala’s National Congress created the Sierra Caral National Protected Area on May 13, making it the nation’s first federally protected area to be established in seven years. The core of the new 47,000-acre protected area is the Sierra Caral Amphibian Conservation Reserve which local conservation partner FUNDAECO created in 2012 with the support of more than twenty international conservation groups including Global Wildlife Conservation, Rainforest Trust, Andrew Sabin Family Foundation, the Amphibian Survival Alliance, Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, International Conservation Fund of Canada, American Bird Conservancy and Conservation International.

“This area will fill an important conservation gap in the Guatemalan system of protected areas, and will ensure the conservation of many endemic and endangered amphibians in this globally recognized Alliance for Zero Extinction site,” said Marco Cerezo, Director General of FUNDAECO. “The Sierra Caral National Protected Area was created with the overwhelming support of Guatemala’s National Congress, with eightyfour percent of Congress voting in favor. The new protected area, which is nearly eight times the size of the original reserve, will provide additional legal protection and long-term sustainability for 18

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the reserve,” commented Dr. Don Church, Global Wildlife Conservation’s President and Director of Conservation.

The Sierra Caral is home to unique and Threatened plants and animals found nowhere else on the planet, and its forests are an important part of the Mesoamerican corridor that allows jaguars and other animals to migrate between the American continents. Furthermore, these mountains hold the headwaters to rivers that local communities depend upon and the forests prevent protection against landslides that pose a great risk to people in the region.The protection of the Sierra Caral by the Government of Guatemala heralds a bright future for the people and wildlife of this region.

“This accomplishment highlights the fact that our work doesn’t end with land purchase, rather it is the beginning of a process to ensure the land is permanently protected” noted Dr. Paul Salaman, CEO of Rainforest Trust. “Our Guatemalan partner FUNDAECO has achieved an outstanding success that will securely protect one of our planet’s most biodiverse areas.”

The Sierra Caral, an isolated mountain range near Guatemala’s Caribbean coast, is not only home to many endemic species, but is also a meeting place for many North and South American species.

Partner Showcase The protected area provides habitat for a dozen globally Threatened amphibian found nowhere else in the world and three species of Threatened birds. Scientific explorations in the Sierra Caral have resulted in the discoveries of new beetle, salamander, frog and snake species.

Over the last 20 years, however, rampant clearcutting has led to the loss of critical wildlife habitat in the Sierra Caral and reduced populations of local species. The protected area, which contains the last stands of primary forest found in the Sierra Caral, will protect some of the best remaining habitat in eastern Guatemala for jaguars, pumas and other threatened species.

Waterfall at Las Escobas, Cerro San Gil, Guatemala. © Robin Moore

In a letter to FUNDAECO’s partners, Cerezo wrote, “I sincerely thank you for all the support that you have given us over the past few years, in order to achieve this exciting conservation outcome for Guatemala, Central America and the whole planet!”

A Giant palm salamander, Bolitoglossa dofleini, in the Sierra Caral of Guatemala. © Robin Moore

CHRIS WEST, World Association of Zoos and Aquariums The consequences of the unfolding amphibian extinction event are unthinkable and so the unique work of the Amphibian Survival Alliance (ASA) is increasingly critical as it coordinates global action to secure a future for such a beautiful, fascinating and vital part of our natural world. Help it.

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Developing Baw Baw Frog Husbandry at Zoos Victoria - Melbourne Zoo

Metamorph Baw Baw frog, with Australian 5c coin. © Rick Hammond

By Chris Banks

The Baw Baw frog (Philoria frosti) is among Australia’s most poorly known amphibians. It is restricted to an area of just 135 km², at 900–1560 m elevation about 120 km east of Melbourne. The area is covered with snow during the winter and frogs spend the majority of their lives underground, amongst a mass of rocks, logs, mud and seepage lines. Eggs are deposited in underground foam nests in NovemberDecember and tadpoles develop at oviposition sites with very little water.

Although the habitat is protected, the amphibian chytrid fungus has caused loss of the species at subalpine elevations and massive declines at lower, montane elevations. The total adult population is now estimated at about 2,500 frogs.

Zoos Victoria (ZV) committed to supporting the conservation of this little amphibian in 2010 as part of our Fighting Extinction campaign and more recently allocated additional resources to provide the necessary facility and staffing requirements.

This frog has only been kept in captivity three times previously, two of which were tadpole research, and only raised to adults once. However, none survived past three years of age and captive breeding has never been achieved.

With the support of the Victorian Department of Environment & Primary Industries, Baw Baw Shire and the Mt. Baw Baw Alpine Resort Management Board, Zoos Victoria collected one egg mass in late 2011. This was the first step in developing husbandry techniques in the event that the species continues to decline in the wild and ex situ intervention is needed in the future. Extremely high outside temperatures, combined with air-conditioning failure, compromised the egg mass, causing it to rupture early. Although 15 tadpoles developed, 20

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eight metamorphosed and all died within 90 days, understanding of captive management benefited significantly.

No egg masses were located in 2012 due to unfavourable weather, but two masses were collected in November 2013 about 20-30 cm below ground in small cavities. They were immediately transferred to Melbourne Zoo and maintained under strict quarantine. The egg masses started to break down after 4-5 weeks, tadpoles became visible about four weeks later and 80 frogs metamorphosed. The tiny frogs (5-7 mm long) are quite active and started feeding two days later. They also climbed up the insides of their enclosures over the first few days, an intriguing behaviour never before observed and possibly related to moving up and away from flowing underground water after completing metamorphosis. Almost nothing is known of metamorph behaviour in the wild, so the data being gathered on development and behaviour at Melbourne Zoo will be invaluable.

The focus on developing captive husbandry and, ultimately, captive breeding, is complemented by ZV’s “Love your Locals” community conservation campaign. This is designed to build community awareness and understanding of threatened Victorian wildlife in order to engage people in the fight to prevent their extinction. The fact that the Baw Baw frog is virtually unknown only serves to heighten ZV’s commitment to involve the wider Victorian community in its conservation.

The biology of this species presents significant husbandry challenges at every stage, but organisational commitment supporting dedicated staff gives us confidence of long-term success with this unique little frog.

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Baw Baw frog egg mass in situ. © Damian Goodall

Melbourne Zoo Baw Baw frog container. © Chris Banks

Adult male Baw Baw frog. © Damian Goodall

Baw Baw frog habitat in winter. © Deon Gilbert

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TAP Key Dates

How-to Guide: Setting up an Amphibian Program Showcasing the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Threatened Amphibian Program Program History

September 2012 – Launch of the Threatened Amphibian Programme upon receipt of a small grant from the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund for the Amathole Project.

October 2012 – Field trip to Hogsback and discovery of a new locality for the critically endangered Amathole Toad on Elandsberg Mountain.

December 2012 – Awarded funding from the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to conduct work on the critically endangered Pickersgill’s Reed Frog.

December 2012 – Awareness day: Save Our Frogs Day is held, with 10 events taking place across South Africa.

August 2013 – EWT partners with the Amphibian Survival Alliance to fulfil the objectives of the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan, a global framework to address amphibian declines.

September 2013 – Stakeholder workshop for the Biodiversity Management Plan for Pickersgill’s Reed Frog is held, attended by over 40 delegates representing 15 organisations.

Realizing the need to bridge the gap between academic research and amphibian conservation action in South Africa, Jeanne Tarrant, at the time completing her PhD in amphibian conservation through NorthWest University, approached the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) in February 2012 to discuss the possibilities of putting frogs on the NGO map in southern Africa.While various institutes in the country are conducting sound research on amphibians,

little of this has been translated into practical real-world conservation needs. The EWT is a leading conservation NGO in southern Africa, and it was agreed that, funding dependent, this was an exciting prospect indeed.

Upon receiving a small grant from the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund (CEPF), the EWT Threatened Amphibian Programme (TAP) was borne and it has continued to go from strength to strength.

Program Objectives

1. Implementing specific conservation actions to tackle direct threats to amphibian species and protect critical amphibian habitat; 2. Supporting relevant research projects focussed on critical knowledge gaps in amphibian conservation; 3. Raising awareness through education and public initiatives regarding amphibians in a South African context.

4. Working with relevant stakeholders, research institutions and individuals to prioritize conservation action for threatened South African frogs.

5. Identify, develop and implement amphibian conservation projects.

October 2013 – EWT partners with the IUCN Species Survival Commission Amphibian Red List Authority to advance the assessment of extinction risk of southern African amphibians.

November 2013 – the Amathole Project is featured on the South African television series 50/50 February 2014 – Highly successful awareness campaign—Leap Day for Frogs—took place on 28 February with over 30 events taking place across South Africa.

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Jeanne Tarrant sampling the Rose’s mountain toad for amphibian chytrid fungus in the Western Cape during her Ph.D. research on threatened species.

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The Amathole Toad Conservation Project

The Pickersgill’s Reed Frog Recovery Project

The Amathole toad, Vandjikophrynus amatolicus, is a small toad restricted to the montane grasslands of the Winterberg and Amathole mountains in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Until recently, the Amathole toad was thought to be possibly extinct because, despite regular surveys between 2006 and 2010, the species had not been seen since 1998.

As a result its status has been raised to Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2010). Fortunately, in September 2011 the species was found to be breeding near Hogsback town (tadpoles and multiple egg strings were found in temporary puddles and a single female was found under a pine log). This confirmed that the species is still in existence, but there is concern that major population declines have been experienced by the species (historically the species has been reported in large numbers). In 2012 a single male was found in a new location on the summit of Elandsberg Mountain (a new locality) near Hogsback. The species is threatened by the extensive forestation in the area that has eliminated a large proportion of grassland wetland habitat. Overgrazing and too-frequent fires in the region are also perceived threats. The rediscovery has prompted the need for urgent surveys of the species throughout its range.

Pickersgill’s reed frog, Hyperolius pickersgilli, is known only from a few sites within a narrow strip of the KwaZulu-Natal coastline. It is IUCN Red Listed as Critically Endangered due to its limited and fragmented distribution and ongoing risk of habitat loss. The species is a habitat specialist and occurs at only a few isolated wetlands between St Lucia in the north and Sezela in the south. Only two sites fall within Protected Areas. Most of remaining populations occur in habitat that is already degraded, or face imminent threat of habitat loss or even risk of local extinction. A critical conservation intervention is thus the urgent protection and management of sites with extant populations.

Project Objectives:

4. Develop and implement a standardized longterm monitoring protocol at priority sites.

1. Survey the entire range of the species to detect populations, establish distribution and population size.

2. Model predicted habitat to guide surveys using Ecological Niche Modelling.

3. Improve understanding of the threats facing the Amathole toad.

4. Establish relationships with forestry companies, other NGOs and local community in the range to implement long-term management strategies.

5. Provide recommendations to forestry companies for lessening their potential impact on this species, e.g. establishing meaningful wetland buffer zones.

Program Objectives: 1. Develop a Biodiversity Management Plan for Species (BMP-S) for the Pickersgill’s reed frog to guide management plans with the input of all stakeholders.

2. Continue to survey the species’ range for new subpopulations.

3. Secure at least 30% of the total population of Pickersgill’s reed frog in the next 3 years through land-owner agreements.

5. Identify restoration needs and possibilities at all existing and historical sites and facilitate restoration with relevant partners where appropriate.

6. Determine the impact of habitat fragmentation on Pickersgill’s reed frog populations by using genetic analysis.

7. Explore relocation and reintroduction where necessary and determine whether captive breeding can be used to supplement wild populations.

8. Work toward establishing Pickersgill’s reed frog as a local flagship species.

6. Provide input regarding a captive breeding program for this species.

7. Create awareness about this iconic species amongst local communities.

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Accelerating the Push to Ban Amphibian-Killing Pesticides

California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii). © Gary M. Fellers, USGS

By Collette Adkins Giese

Once common across California’s high mountain lakes, the California red-legged frog—the “Celebrated jumping frog” made famous by Mark Twain —has now declined by more than 90 percent and is lost from almost three-quarters of its historic range.

Like so many other amphibians, the frogs have been decimated by habitat destruction, disease and pollution.

In the years since the frogs gained Endangered Species Act protection in 1996 we’ve learned much about the threats they face, none more prevalent than the 200 million pounds of pesticides applied to California crops every year, some of which drifts to surrounding mountains.

The Center for Biological Diversity is working this year to build on their recent success by initiating litigation to restrict a new pesticide that may harm endangered amphibians and other rare wildlife.

And they are continuing our their for permanent restrictions on some of the most dangerous pesticides currently registered for use.

Protecting amphibians from pesticides is an important step toward improving the environment shared by all of us.

That’s why the Center for Biological Diversity, us working to get federal officials to evaluate the impacts of pesticides known to be toxic to amphibians.

In response to litigation driven by the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service now has two years to complete “biological opinions” that analyze how seven toxic pesticides impact the frog. One of pesticides being evaluated, simazine, is a known endocrine disruptor, which studies suggest may cause developmental, neurological and immune problems in wildlife and humans.

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California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii). © Gary M. Fellers, USGS

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Native Frog (Leiopelma spp.) Recovery Plan, 2013–2018

By Phil Bishop

Native New Zealand frogs were formerly widespread and common throughout New Zealand. However, they are now much reduced in range, with remnant populations only occurring on the mainland of the North Island and on several islands in the stretch of water between the two main islands known as the Marlborough Sounds. The current agents of decline are thought primarily to be introduced mammalian predators, disease and habitat modification.

The current recovery plan covers the period from 2013 to 2018 and sets in place the actions required to move into the next phase of recovery management for all four extant native frog species (Leiopelma spp.). In this respect, the plan spans a transitional phase to consolidate the security of the species and set the platform for their broader recovery.

The entire plan may be downloaded here.

Bishop, P.J.; Daglish, L.A.; Haigh, A.J.M.; Marshall, L.J.; Tocher, M.D.; McKenzie, K.L. 2013: Native frog (Leiopelma spp.) recovery plan, 2013–2018.

Threatened Species Recovery Plan 63. Department of Conservation, Wellington. 39 p.

Societas Europaea Herpetologica The Societas Europaea Herpetologica has, through its Conservation Committee (SEHCC)—now called Conservation Task Force —provided a focus for the conservation of amphibians and reptiles across Europe since it was founded in 1981.

Often regarded with lower priority than other more ‘popular’ taxa and with conservation not being a main interest for many herpetological organisations, the SEHCC sought to redress this lack of support through developing a nucleus of skilled, practical herpetological conservationists with a wide geographic representation across Europe; it achieved representation from Scandinavia to the Iberian Peninsula and from the British Isles to eastern Europe.

The Committee has provided specific advice on management, protection and conservation, to land managers, NGOs and Government bodies, targeting priority species across the European Continent. It has also ensured that herpetofauna conservation is recognised through policy and legislation. Notably SEHCC has had a long-standing involvement with the Bern Convention, initiating complaints and ‘case files’ , providing input to the Convention’s expert group on amphibians and reptiles and producing European action plans for six priority species in Europe.

As nature conservation activities within the

European Union became increasingly driven by the Habitats & Species Directive, SEHCC has developed an active presence within the European Habitats Forum, a pan-European NGO network, which liaises directly with European Commission. Across Europe national herpetological societies are becoming more effective at promoting conservation activity.

The SEHCC has restructured around a network of country based contacts and manages the SEH’s Conservation grants scheme.

The SEHCC retains an active dialogue with its supporters through Facebook.

© Bálint Halpern

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Amphibian Ark

By Kevin Johnson

Amphibian Ark is pleased to announce the sixth annual call for proposals for its Seed Grant program!

This competitive US$5,000 grant is intended to fund start-up rescue projects for species that cannot currently be saved in the wild. Successful proposals will reflect AArk values; please pay careful attention to the grant guidelines for details on the types of projects that are favoured. Past grantees can be seen at the web link listed above. Inquiries should be directed to Kevin Johnson, Taxon Officer KevinJ@ amphibianark.org.

AArk staff are currently planning conservation needs assessment workshops in the Philippines, Bolivia and India, as well as amphibian husbandry management workshops in Bolivia, Borneo and India. These two components, species assessment and husbandry training, are considered to be the essential initial building blocks to successful ex situ amphibian conservation programs, along with sufficient physical resources to maintain the programs. Since 2007, AArk and our partners have facilitated 26 national/regional assessment workshops covering 3,018 (43%) of the world’s amphibian species. AArk have also held 61 husbandry workshops in 32 countries, including 1,939 students.

AArk is currently monitoring the progress of 122 ex situ conservation programs for species which have been assessed for urgent rescue, supplementation or ex situ research programs, and 92 of these are considered to be “model” programs; they are managed within the range country of the species and are housed in isolation from other populations occurring outside their range.

Justin Claude Rakotoarisoa from Association Mitsinjo in Madagascar, taking care of Golden Mantellas (Mantella aurantiaca).

Association Mitsinjo was the recipient of an AArk Seed Grant in 2009, and this grant launched what has become Madagascar’s first biosecure amphibian captive breeding facility. © Devin Edmonds

Please visit the AArk website for more information about AArk activities, or visit us on Facebook.

Students at an amphibian husbandry workshop in Brazil, during one of the hands-on practical sessions.©Ron Gagliardo

The Bolivian Amphibian Initiative received a $5000 AArk Seed Grant in 2010, and has since been the first institution to successfully breed the Titicaca water frog (Telmatobius culeus) in captivity. © Arturo Muñoz Saravia

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Crab Bush School learners from Hogsback go out frogging on Leap Day © Christine Coppinger

A Leaping Success

By Jeanne Tarrant

The 28th of February 2014 saw schools, volunteer groups and members of the public leaping into action to take part in a national awareness day for frogs: Leap Day for Frogs. The campaign captures an exciting feature of frogs—leaping—and falls on Leap Day, 29 February, (or the day before if it is not a leap year), as February figuratively leaps into March.

The EWT Threatened Amphibian Programme spearheaded the idea and with the creative help of independent PR consultant Carmen Curtayne, PR Company ZenOne and advertising agency Ireland Davenport, brought the concept to fruition. A bespoke logo was developed and a website was launched, as well as print and online adverts that asked South Africans to leap into action for our furless friends by becoming “Honorary Leaplings”.

The aim of the day was to highlight the plight of amphibians, but also to celebrate the incredible diversity of these amazing creatures and having some frog-focused fun.

The campaign proved to be highly successful with over 30 events taking place across South Africa, all of which were very well supported, including through sponsorship of venues, food, clothing and footwear, and promotional materials. Events included a display at King Shaka International Airport which ran during the course of the week leading up to 28th February. This included live frogs that drew the

attention of passersby, especially children, many of whom asked if the Giant Bullfrog was in fact real!

On the 28th, Jeanne Tarrant of the EWT Threatened Amphibian programme gave presentations to local residents at Mtunzini and Kloof. The Mtunzini event focused on the Critically Endangered Pickersgill’s reed frog, which occurs in the area, and was attended by about 50 people. The Kloof event was supported by the Kloof Conservancy and Kloof SPCA and the turn-out was beyond expectation with in excess of 250 people attending. These ranged from young children, for whom various froggie-activities

Frogging walk in Kloof. © Bruce Crouch The world’s largest partnership for amphibian conservation

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Partner Showcase had been set up, to keen naturalists who enjoyed the frog-finding foray which followed the openair talk. Other events in KwaZulu-Natal took place at schools in Pietermaritzburg and the Midlands, Westville and Southbroom Conservancy.

With a focus on the Critically Endangered Amathole Toad, a day of activities took place in the Hogsback, Eastern Cape. Says Christine Coppinger of the EWT “We had a successful morning with the school kids in Hogsback on Friday. After a presentation at Kings Lodge (thanks to Lana and Craig who were such brilliant hosts), the kids played some froggie games and had some hotdogs that were kindly donated by the Probis members in Hogsback. We then walked up to a wetland area at the Arboretum where we searched for some frogs. The slogan for the day was “gcina amasele”—save the frogs in Xhosa. I think a couple of the kids have definitely been convinced that frogs aren’t as dangerous as they’d been led to believe.” Elsewhere in the Eastern Cape, the Victory Christian School Jeffrey’s Bay took part in an informative talk on frogs (by the Student EcoCommittee) and a Leapfrog competition (Furthest Jump), with even the teachers participating.

were heard between builders as to whether frogs had eyelashes, or if a pond should be constructed in case their frog needed water! Well done to everyone who participated: a windy, wonderful and worthwhile morning was had by all our Honorary Leaplings.”

The NUTS are focused on rescuing the Endangered Western Leopard Toad from becoming road kill on the busy Peninsula. Other events in the Western Cape took place in Stanford, thanks to Whale Coast Conservation, and Rooi Els (Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve) where “a convivial crowd gathered for a twilight walk in the Wildflower Reserve” lead by Michael Cunningham.

A big thank you to our sponsors and to all who made the effort to take part, learn more and get creative for our charismatic microfauna. The idea is to hold the campaign annually, with a really big drive on actual Leap Days and we look forward to watching it grow. For more information see: www. leapdayforfrogs.org.za or email Jeanne Tarrant: jeannet@ewt.org.za

On western side of the country, the volunteer group, the Toad NUTS (Noordhoek Unpaid Toad Savers), organised a frog sand-castle building competition for two local schools at Noordhoek Main Beach.

Says Alison Faraday, who runs Toad NUTS, “Debates

Sand frog building at Noordhoek Beach. © Alison Faraday

Frog burgers at Cowan House School, Pietermaritzburg. © Charlene Russell

A young boy gets interested in one of his local frogs, a Guttural toad. © Charlene Russell

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Plectrohyla exquisita Š Jonathan Kolby

Join the Alliance If your organization or institution is interested in joining the Amphibian Survival Alliance please contact us for further details.

As an ASA partner you will not only demonstrate your dedication to stopping this severe extinction crisis, but also provide the much needed support to drive this initiative forward and on to success.

Your support will demonstrate that inaction and indifference to this crisis are unacceptable and that we must work together to restore populations of all threatened native amphibian species within natural ecosystems worldwide.

www.amphibians.org