2008: The Year of the Frog

Frogs are in trouble. In the past 20 years, at least 120 amphibians have gone extinct due to habitat loss, poaching, pollution, and run-ins with invasive species. Wildlife managers and conservationists across the world recognize that at least 1/3 of all known amphibians face a similar fate. The American Association of Zoos and Aquariums has declared 2008 as The Year of the Frog. They are joined in their campaign by many other organizations such as The Wildlife Conservation Society and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to raise awareness and funding for amphibian conservation.

Many zoos have embraced the Year of the Frog campaign. The Bronx Zoo has installed new video and graphic displays in its World of Reptiles to highlight the ongoing amphibian crisis. Other zoos such as The National Zoo and The Detroit Zoo have added exhibits and events to do their part in education. Additionally, they are all working together with Amphibian Ark to raise $50-$60 million for research and conservation programs.

Some are calling the amphibian extinction crisis the greatest conservation challenge in the history of humanity, as it may lead to the largest mass extinction since dinosaurs.