Posts Tagged ‘Panama’

Dec
07

Vote for Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project and Help them Win $25,000

Posted by in amphibians,Conservation,Endangered Species,Panama

Panamanian golden frog

In Panama, the Houston Zoo has constructed the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center (EVACC) – a last ditch effort to rescue wild populations located in the path of the advancing fungus.  Many other North American zoos and aquariums have joined in this initiative, as have academic institutions and conservation organizations from around the world.  As a result, we now house several dozen amphibian species in this special facility and are beginning to breed them. Sadly, several of these species can no longer be found in the wild. If scientists can figure out how to give immunity to these animals for the deadly fungus in the future, we can hopefully reintroduce their offspring back into the streams and cloud forests of Panama.

We have great news, BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!! Heska Corporation has selected the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project as one of four finalists in its 2010 national Inspiration In Action Contest. If we can generate the most votes for this project by Dec. 15, they will win $25,000 to continue their work to avert a worldwide crisis that threatens nearly half of the amphibian species on our planet.  With just a click of the mouse, you can help them win! Please vote by visiting http://www.heska.com/action

Click on Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project. Animal lovers throughout the U.S. can vote so please support their cause by passing this on.

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Sep
01

Panama’s Endangered Amphibians

Posted by in amphibians,Endangered Species,Featured,Field Research

The Houston Zoo began the development of the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center (EVACC) in El Valle de Anton, Panama in 2005 as a response to the decline in amphibian populations due to habitat loss, overcollection and the imminent threat from a fungal epidemic known as “chytrid“. Today, it is believed that nearly 30% of the 6,000+ known amphibian species are threatened with extinction.

On a recent visit to El Valle de Anton, we took the opportunity to head out to one of the field sites where a frog known as the Harlequin Frog (Atelopus varius) had once existed in large numbers. The chytrid fungus had reached this area a number of years  and a small population was brought into a captive setting at the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center for safeguarding against the threat of extinction.

Approximately 2 hours from El Valle de Anton is El Cope National Park and one of the few sites where this species may still exist. El Cope rises over 3,000 feet above sea level with the park first being created in 1986, acting as a watershed between the Pacific and the Panamanian Caribbean. Home to jaguar, mountain lion, tapir, monkeys and numerous birds, it is the amphibians which once made this place unique. Although a glimpse ofthe areas mammals and birds was always special. It was the nenver ending sound of dozens of amphibian species calling in the late afternoon and early evening hours which brought this cloud forest alive.

A Somber Silence. But now that is all but gone. There were 2-3 species of amphibians seen on this visit but it is a vastly different forest today than it was just 5 years ago. The same fate has taken amphibian species across the Central America corridor from Costa Rica down through Panama and heading upwards from Colombia.

Until the time comes when conservation biologists can determine it is safe to return amphibians to their native habitat, the Houston Zoo and partners will coninue to maintain assurance colonies of amphibians in their native countries, and spend time in the field surveying remaining amphibian populations. If you would like to support our amphibian efforts in Panama, you can follow the link to http://www.houstonzoo.org/amphibians/

Panamanian Golden Frog Atelopus zeteki

Marsupial Frog Hemiphractus fasciatus

Craugastor tabasarae with eggs. El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center

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Aug
24

The Frogs and Toads of Panama

Posted by in amphibians,Endangered Species,Field Research

We are in Panama today visiting the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center in the town of El Valle de Anton. A program initiated by the Houston Zoo in 2004-2005. While habitat loss is still considered the most serious threat to the majority of species, especially in the humid tropical forest regions of the world, a fungal disease known as chytrid has been identified as being exceptionally deadly to amphibians, while not seeming to affect other groups of vertebrates – fish, reptiles, birds and mammals. We thought you might like to see some of the amazing amphibians which live in the region:

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