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Amphibian Alarm
EAZA Year of the Frog Campaign
2007-2008
(Scroll down for information on the EAZA Amphibian Conservation Fund)
After thriving for over 360 million years, one third to one half of all amphibian species could
disappear in the immediate future. Therefore EAZA marked the Year of the Frog with the Amphibian Alarm campaign, which had the following aims:
- To generate public awareness and understanding of the amphibian extinction crisis;
- To raise funds for implementing the ex situ aspects of ACAP (Amphibian Conservation Action Plan);
- To encourage further EAZA member participation in amphibian ex situ conservation;
- To raise awareness and funds to support and supplement the activities of the Amphibian Ark; and
- To further position the IUCN and the zoo community as leaders in global conservation.
Key Achievements
At the closing session of the campaign, a fantastic preliminary fundraising result of €410,803 was presented. These funds went towards the Amphibian Ark (AArk), which is a joint effort of three principal partners: the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), the IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG), and the IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG).
The AArk was formed to address the ex situ components of the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (ACAP). It aims to coordinate ex situ programs implemented by partners around the world, with the first emphasis on programs within the range countries of the species, and with a constant attention to the obligation of coupling ex situ conservation measures with necessary efforts to protect or restore species in their natural habitats.
Projects Supported
The EAZA Year of the Frog Campaign was different as few in situ conservation projects for amphibians existed and the European activities were mostly focused on ex situ breeding programmes. It was thus decided not to raise funds for specific projects but rather for an “EAZA Amphibian Conservation Fund” that can fund future projects as they are developed. Funds were made available in accordance with the overall global priorities as set by IUCN, The Global Amphibian Ark, and the EAZA Amphibian Ark.
EAZA Amphibian Conservation Fund
EAZA has established a special account to receive and administer funds collected through Year of the Frog campaign activities. Whilst previous EAZA conservation campaigns aimed to raise funds for identified in situ conservation projects, the YotF campaign was different since few in situ conservation projects for amphibians existed until very recently. It was thus decided not to raise funds for specific projects but rather establish an “EAZA Amphibian Conservation Fund (ACF)” that would support future projects as they are developed.
The ACF focuses on projects which combine both in situ and ex situ components as this has been identified as the most effective way to save amphibian species from extinction. Since the campaign started, numerous institutions have increased their amphibian-related activities both within their institutions and overseas – a key result of the YotF campaign.
The latest available figures for the EAZA Amphibian Conservation Fund, as of May 31st 2010, are as follows:
Total raised: € 420,024
Total spent: € 251,395
of which € 172,865 to Amphibian Ark
of which € 78,530 - as EAZA Grants
Still on account: € 168,629
 Amphibian Conservation Fund - Update May 2010
 Amphibian Conservation Fund - Application Form 2010
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