Scientists came together in Los Angeles earlier this month to launch an “amphibian ark” to save thousands of species, but the animals won’t be going on board two by two. Their ark would involve bio-secure facilities around the globe and would house 500 each of as many as 2,000 species. About 170 amphibian species have already become extinct in the last decade, and scientists call them “the canaries in the coal mine” because their permeable skin makes them especially susceptible to environmental changes. The chytrid fungus, discovered in 1998, appears to be speeding the demise of many species that were already threatened by pollution, habitat loss and global warming. The frogs for the Ark would be collected and cleaned to avoid any potential contamination, at a cost of $40 million. Saving the species long-term could cost ten times as much.
Source: Jenny Jarvie. ‘Amphibian Ark’ seen as species’ last best hope. Los Angeles Times, February 16. Photo: The golden toad, endemic to Monteverde, Costa Rica, is believed to be extinct.
