Amphibians are facing extinction on a global scale, and unless something is done they will soon go the way of the dinosaurs. To help fight the threat, Johannesburg Zoo has joined the Year of the Frog campaign.

To mark the Year of the Frog, the zoo will educate the public about the importance of amphibians to protecting biodiversity

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HIS year is the Year of the Frog, and the Johannesburg Zoo will be hosting a series of workshops to highlight the plight of the amphibians, which are facing mass extinction.

First up is the celebration of Leap Day. A workshop will be hosted on Friday 29, February, leap day, at the zoo's bandstand from 10am until 12.30pm. It will focus on educating people about the degree of danger of extinction facing frogs, and the role they can play in helping to conserve the species.

"The Johannesburg Zoo has [joined] a global campaign to save frogs," confirms Sandra Hlungwani, the reserve's public relations and marketing officer. "It is important to seize this opportunity to get people leaping with the frogs at the zoo."

Schoolchildren are invited along to listen to froggie stories. Other activities planned include lessons on the role of amphibians in human society and their survival around the world.

"Kids will test their mental and physical skills to learn about amphibians around the world and what the zoo is doing to help preserve them," she explains.

They will be asked to write short messages for frogs, while they compare their leaping skills to those of amphibians by playing with skipping ropes, jumping on the jumping castle, and playing other fun activities.

Lecture
There will be a formal lecture later in the day at the Discovery Centre, by François Durand from the University of Johannesburg. About 60 delegates from the City's environment department will attend.

"Humans should have connections to nature," Hlungwani says. "Experiences in nature literally enrich our lives and inform our choices for future generations. Come and explore what amphibians eat, what eats them, and how we care for some of the amphibians here at the zoo."

Amphibians are severely affected by habitat degradation, climate change and pesticides, leading them to the brink of extinction. Added to these threats is a parasitic fungus called amphibian chytrid, which has fatally infected amphibians across Africa for over 30 years.

"Global climate change may have exacerbated the problem," Hlungwani notes. The solution might be for the human race to embrace the earth more as a community to which they belong, rather than a commodity belonging to them.

Amphibians like frogs are severely affected by habitat degradation, climate change and pesticides

"This way we might begin to cherish our natural connections and boost our own survival."

Amphibian Ark
According to Amphibian Ark, a campaign supported by the zoo to rescue the most endangered amphibians in the wild, protecting the animals in South Africa is critical.

As a result of unprecedented natural and human adversity, Hlungwani says that the zoo must often intervene to save wildlife. "Humans are responsible for dramatic changes to nature due to global warming and habitat destruction.

"People should recognise their responsibility to care for the Earth and leave a healthy environment for our families and future generations."

Frogs could face extinction if no decisive measures are taken to conserve the species

Frogs, toads, water salamanders and salamanders are all amphibians. Amphibian Ark and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums and its members all support the global conservation of frogs. The zoo contributes to these conservation efforts, which aid in preserving and rehabilitating endangered species.

This year was declared the Year of the Frog to raise awareness about the looming extinction of amphibians, which is thought to be the most perilous since that of the dinosaurs. The zoo has designed a programme to draw attention to conservation efforts being made to avert the disaster.

South African frogs are gradually facing mass extinction, Hlungwani highlights. This can only be stopped if people understand the importance of biodiversity. "For those species that cannot be saved in nature, the plan is to rescue them before they are gone, and to protect them in captive facilities until the threats to the wild populations can be controlled."

Organisations that support Amphibian Ark will lead a global public awareness campaign, 2008: The Year of the Frog, to raise awareness among national governments, world media, school educators, and the general public about the vulnerability of amphibians and the threat of extinction, Hlungwani concludes.

It is also a leap year this year, meaning that there are 366 days in the year, instead of the usual 365. The extra day every four years is needed so that the calendar is in alignment with the Earth's movement around the sun.

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