That Reptile Blog – Reptile, Amphibian and Exotic Pet Care and Information
Decades of work in zoos and the pet trade has, I believe, given me a unique perspective on the contributions that each can make to amphibian conservation. Over the years, I have been greatly influenced by the work of private keepers who, in some cases, bred rare species long before zoos. Indeed, numerous husbandry techniques used in zoos originated in the private sector. In general, however, the pet trade focuses on pets and conservationists focus on conservation. But Wikiri, an enterprise formed to support amphibian conservation and research, combines the best of both worlds by using captive-bred frogs to promote its goals. In doing so, Wikiri has broken new ground in addressing the amphibian extinction crisis.
Amphibian Declines
The threat currently facing amphibians are unprecedented. At least 200 species have become extinct in recent years, prompting some to compare this “Sixth Extinction Crisis” to the disappearance of the dinosaurs.
Although dedicated biologists continue to battle the spread of Chytrid epidemics and other dangers, traditional conservation measures are not up to the task at hand. Imaginative new approaches, such as the recent cooperative agreements between some zoos and private animal owners (please see article below) are essential.
Breeding Frogs to Fund Conservation
Wikiri is a private company based in Ecuador, a frog diversity hotspot where hundreds of species are at risk of extinction. Its strategy represents, in many ways, a radical departure from traditional thinking on the topic. Wikiri devotes profits from the sale of captive-reared frogs, husbandry products and educational materials to amphibian research and conservation.
Amphibian biologists based at the Centro Jambata for Amphibian Research and Conservation assist the organization in both captive care and field research. As a result, Wikiri’s efforts incorporate the latest information available, and are conducted in accordance with local and international laws. The endorsement of Amphibian Ark a major US conservation organization, bears witness to the quality of Wikiri’s work.
Husbandry Advances and Captive-Bred Frogs
Wikiri has made significant advances in the breeding of endangered frogs, the maintenance of Chytrid-free environments and the formulation of healthful diets. Especially impressive is the focus on eliminating metabolic bone disease in captive amphibians.
Some very interesting species are bred in an environmentally friendly manner and offered for sale. Included among these are the Little Devil Frog, Dendrobates (Oophaga) sylvaticus, the Pacific Horned Frog, Ceratophrys stoltmanni, and the Andean Marsupial Frog, Gastrotheca riobambae.
Other species destined for re-introduction programs are also being produced at Wikiri. Indoor facilities are used, but I’m especially interested in the organization’s reliance upon “enriched natural habitats” as frog-rearing sites. Complete details have yet to be published, but it seems that frogs are being raised outdoors, on tracts of previously degraded land. Improving the habitat for frogs and their prey shows great promise.
Field Research and Conservation
Wikiri is actively working at several sites in Ecuador, and supporting the work of biologists in others. Chief among these is the Otokiki Tropical Rainforest Reserve, north of the capital city of Quito. Lumbering, agriculture and gold mining have greatly affected surrounding areas, and researchers are at risk from foreign paramilitary forces and drug traffickers. Never-the-less, new strides in amphibian research and conservation are being taken, funded in part by the sale of captive-bred frogs.
Several at-risk frog species are being actively managed to a degree rarely seen in field situations. Included among these are the Gliding Leaf Frog, Agalychnis spurrelli, the Splendid Treefrog, Cruziohyla calcarifer (an astonishingly-beautiful frog), the Imbabura Treefrog, Hypsiboas picturatus and Little Devil Frog, Dendrobates (Oophaga) sylvaticus. Genetic monitoring techniques are being developed.
Towards a Pet Trade-Conservation Coalition
My involvement in conservation projects that have included both private keepers and professional herpetologists has convinced me that the future of many species lies in cooperative ventures. Zoos do not have the space and funds to do all that is required; please see Herp Hobbyists: Hindering or Helping Conservation? for some examples. Please write in with your own ideas and experiences…many species face a bleak future, and time is short!
Frogs produced by Wikiri will, initially, likely be more expensive than those from other sources. However, profits will be plowed back into conservation and also into research that will benefit pet keepers (i.e. the development of techniques to address Chytrid and MBD). In addition, the high death rates and other problems associated with legal and illegal collection will be eliminated. Please support the work of this and similar organizations.
Further Reading
Wikiri’s Frogs and Husbandry Products
Video and Info: Marsupial Frog
The Frog Leg Trade, Chytrid and other Threats
Wikiri’s Conservation Projects
Imbabura Treefrog Natural History
Marsupial Frog image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Patomena
Little Devil Poison Frog image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by PLoS Biology
Hi Frank,
I really enjoy your posts on Frog Forum and now that I discovered your blog, I am really happy 🙂 Several years ago, I wrote an article for the Nebraska Herpetological Society about the origins of salamanders in Asia. This comment is in reply to your note on Amphibian Declines. Although this is not a major extinction, it is a turning point for salamander survival – a time when aquatic species develop into more terrestrial species. Here is an excerpt from my article:
The lack of diversity and the widely scattered ranges of the Russian salamanders indicates that the extinction processes has been going on for quite some time and those salamanders living today are survivors of a once rich fauna. Discontinuous ranges among the Asiatic amphibians is a result of harmful effects of the “ice ages”.
Countries of mountainous Asia – Tibet, Mongolia, and Turkestan can be considered places where salamanders first appeared. The plains of Central Asia were once covered by a large network of fresh water lakes fed by nearby mountain streams. As a result of fairly recent (geologically speaking) climatic changes, the lakes were subject to strong evaporation and soon dried up or became salty. Following the drying up of fresh water lakes, the region became dryer and most of the amphibians disappeared. M. A. Menzbir, a Russian geologist, reports:
“… that the central Asiatic countries became desert during the Eocene (began about 55 million years ago). That these deserts have actually an old origin also follows from the fact that very specific endemic genera appeared there. If the formation of these deserts occurred in the Eocene, then the period of the maximum size of the central Asiatic lake system must be in place before the Eocene epoch. These ancient lakes undoubtedly presented very favorable conditions for the development of amphibians. The most favorable time for the transformation of aquatic amphibians into semi aquatic forms, with temporary gills, must have been the period of increased drying up of these lakes. It is possible that then there were many small lakes which existed only in the rainy season and, since they periodically dried up, they provided excellent conditions for transforming aquatic animals into terrestrial ones.”
Menzbir, M. A., The Zoological Regions of Turkestan Territory, pg. 111, 1914 (in Russian).
Nikolsky A. M., Fauna of Russia and Adjacent Countries/Amphibians, National Science Foundation, Washington DC, 1962. Originally published in Russian, 1918.
Hello Terry,
Sorry for the delay, storm related problems in NY….Thanks for the kind words. Wonderful info, thanks very much. I’ll keep on hand and forward to interested colleagues when related topics come up. Thank you for sending this along, I look forward to your future notes and comments, Best, Frank