TAMPA ( WMNF ) – Panamanian Golden Frogs were critically endangered before eventually becoming extinct in the wild around 2009 due to habitat loss and the deadly chytrid fungus.
This waterborne fungus greatly impacts amphibians by causing a deadly skin disease.
According to the National Zoo, the fungus disrupts its electrolyte balance, leading to death. The fungal spores can swim through water and hitch a ride on other wildlife and even on people’s shoes.
After suffering catastrophic declines, ZooTampa hatched these amphibians to help save the species from extinction. They utilized the Species Survival Plan. This program ensures that a species population does not become functionally extinct in its natural habitat.
“The species survival plan, which is basically like a dating app for endangered species to make sure that we’re preserving those genetics and we’re breeding individuals with purpose, not just to do it to do it, and as long as we’re doing it under the species survival plan, we’re gonna continue to give back to their populations and keep them here on Earth,” said Jasmin Pierola, animal care professional on the reptile and amphibian team.
ZooTampa plans to utilize the process to support other endangered species.
“Here in Florida, we have a lot of amphibians that are struggling and a few invasive amphibians as well, but they are going through a large extinction event that not a lot of people know about. So just learn about your local amphibians, your local reptiles, and that can really change the way that you see these animals and help you want to protect them,” said Pierola.
Helping to save some of our local endangered species can help to sustain and enhance our ecosystem.
