Singapore Zoo Pledges To Keep Frogs Leaping Ahead Of Extinction

TENGKU NOOR SHAMSIAH ABDULLAH SINGAPORE, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- This Leap Year, Singapore Zoo is jumping into action with the introduction of a Frog Kit, aimed at creating awareness and generating interest in local biodiversity, with the focus on our native amphibian friends such as the four-lined tree frog and common greenback species. In a statement, the Singapore Zoo said this initiative is part of a worldwide event called Leaping Ahead of Extinction: A celebration of good news for amphibians in 2012, coordinated by Amphibian Ark (AArk) to coincide with Leap Day Tuesday. The AArk 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). To date, 51 institutions from 17 countries have confirmed their participation in this global event, which focuses on promoting successes in the conservation of amphibians in captivity and in the wild, especially highlighting projects that involve the release of frogs into the wild. During the trial phase, the Frog Kit was distributed to several international and local schools and received positive feedback from children as young as six. Students from the Canadian International School had a perfect score and successfully released 10 four-lined tree froglets into the pond at Singapore Zoo’s Tropical Crops plantation last March, after looking after them for about five weeks. -- BERNAMA