2008 Year of the Frog

2008 Year of the Frog

Why do we need a campaign?• Amphibians are declining rapidly• Species, genera and even families

becoming extinct at an alarming rate• One third to one half of all amphibians

threatened with extinction, with probably 120 or more gone in recent years

• The IUCN has called upon zoos and aquariums to help save amphibians

2008 Year of the Frog

Why do we need a campaign?• In 2006 CBSG, the IUCN Amphibian

Specialist Group, and WAZA set up a collaborative program, the Amphibian Ark (AArk)

• The role of the AArk is to develop, promote, and guide short-term ex situ management of amphibians to assist with the long-term survival of amphibians

2008 Year of the Frog

Why do we need a campaign?• The global zoo, aquarium and botanic

garden community, along with private specialists, have taken on the challenge, but implementation of programs requires money and political support

• The 2008 Year of the Frog campaign aims to support global and regional initiatives to save amphibians

2008 Year of the Frog

Global and regional support• Sir David Attenborough – Patron, 2008

Year of the Frog• Kermit the Frog – two or three

appearances• Australasia? – (under discussion)• Jeff Corwin – Animal Planet, USA• Kate Humble – BBC, UK• Keroppi - Japan

2008 Year of the Frog

2008 Year of the Frog campaign goals• To engage the public in amphibian

conservation and gain financial support for AArk activities

• To create partnerships between zoos, aquariums, botanic gardens and private and public institutions to ensure the global survival of amphibians

2008 Year of the Frog

2008 Year of the Frog campaign goals• To raise funds for implementing the ex situ

aspects of the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan and ARAZPA’s Amphibian Action Plan

• To highlight ways in which the public can contribute to amphibian conservation

• To bring to zoos’ attention the importance of amphibian ex situ conservation

2008 Year of the Frog

2008 Year of the Frog campaign goals• To raise increased awareness about the

protection of biodiversity• To strengthen zoo communities as fund-

raisers and global promoters of conservation

2008 Year of the Frog

Long term relationships and partnerships• 2008 Year of the Frog participants are able

to commit themselves to ex situ conservation projects

• Raising and donating money for ex situ conservation programs over a fixed time period

• Engagement in ex situ and in situ conservation becomes a reality

• The local community and zoo visitors will take note of the zoos’ involvement

2008 Year of the Frog

How will the money be used?• Efforts of individual institutions coordinated

at the regional level, contributing to the global campaign

• Campaign is mostly focused on ex situ breeding programs and in situ projects related to captive breeding for conservation

2008 Year of the Frog

How will the money be used?• The money raised will help fund regional

initiatives such as workshops, rescues, cooperative programs, training and regional programs

• Fund will be made available according to overall priorities as set by AArk and regional zoological associations

• Local organisations may apply for global and regional funds

2008 Year of the Frog

How will the money be used?• 60% of the funds raised will stay in the

region that raised them to fund their programs

• 40% will go to support AArk global coordination

• Global coordination will include regional programs

• Countries or regions that may not raise many funds will still benefit from the global efforts

2008 Year of the Frog

How will the money be distributed?• A regional committee will be responsible

for the allocation of funds in this region• The committee has not yet been decided –

may utilize ARAZPA’s new Field Conservation Committee (FCC). The FCC oversees implementation of ARAZPA’s Wildlife Conservation Fund

2008 Year of the Frog

How will we deliver the Campaign?• The Amphibian TAG, and the Marketing

and Education SAGs will all work together to develop ARAZPA’s Campaign Pack

• Regional and institutional activities planned• The ARAZPA Year of the Frog Campaign

will be launched at the 2008 ARAZPA conference in Sydney

• The campaign pack will be sent to all ARAZPA institutions

2008 Year of the Frog

How will we deliver the Campaign?• The Convenor of ARAZPA’s Marketing

SAG will oversee the development of ARAZPA’s Year of the Frog campaign

• Sub-committees will need to be established to develop various components

• Campaign material will be distributed electronically and in printed form

2008 Year of the Frog

How will we deliver the Campaign?• The Marketing SAG will be responsible for

developing media and marketing material• The Amphibian TAG and ASMP Committee

will meet to discuss implementation of the ARAZPA Amphibian Action Plan

• The Education SAG will be responsible for developing education programs

2008 Year of the Frog

What sort of fundraising activities?• Special amphibian or frog day/week/zoo at

each institution• ‘Up close and personal’ meeting with frogs• Merchandise• Special lectures• Photography competitions• Corporate donations• Gold coin donations

2008 Year of the Frog

What sort of education activities?• All about frogs and toads• Amphibian workshops• Protecting amphibians• Ecological aspects• Frog masks and face painting• Keeper talks• Habitat conservation• Outreach programs

2008 Year of the Frog

Where to now?• ARAZPA institutions have been sent an

invitation to participate• SAGs and TAG to develop campaign pack• Institutions to be kept up to date• Launch ARAZPA’s Year of the Frog

campaign• Create awareness and raise funds• Prioritize regional programs and initiatives• Implement additional regional programs

2008 Year of the Frog