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Addressing the amphibian extinction crisis represents the greatest species
conservation challenge in the history of humanity. One third to one half of
all amphibian species are threatened with extinction, with probably more
than 120 already gone in recent years. The IUCN Global Amphibian Assessment
has alerted us to the fact that hundreds of species face threats that cannot
be mitigated in the wild, they require zoos to save them in the short term
until adequate conservation measures to secure wild populations can be
developed. Comparable calls to action are included in other IUCN documents.
The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) has joined with two
branches of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (IUCN/SSC) - the
Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG) and the Amphibian Specialist
Group (ASG) - to form the Amphibian Ark (AArk). Since 2006 the Amphibian
Ark has been helping the ex situ community to address the captive components
of the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan, saving as many species as
possible by providing global coordination, technical guidance, training,
necessary linkages to other IUCN groups, communications, and guiding
publicity and capital campaigns.
The AArk vision is the world’s amphibians safe in nature, and the mission is
working in partnerships to ensure the global survival of amphibians –
focusing on those that cannot be safeguarded in nature. The AArk coordinates
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 to couple ex situ conservation measures
with necessary efforts to protect or restore species in their natural
habitats.
A Steering Committee, with Executive Co-Chairs from each of the three principal
partners, provide strategic guidance on the activities of the AArk and
ensure excellent communication with all stakeholders. Four fulltime
dedicated positions coordinate all aspects of implementation within the AArk
initiative; assist AArk partners in identifying priority taxa and regions
for ex situ conservation work; lead development and implementation of
training programs for building capacity of individuals and institutions; and
develop communications strategies, messages, and materials to promote
understanding and action on behalf of amphibian conservation.
Without immediate captive management as a stopgap component of an integrated
conservation effort, hundreds of species will become extinct. This
conservation challenge is one that we, the ex situ community, are uniquely
capable of addressing. Never before has the conservation community at large
charged zoos and aquariums with a task of this magnitude. This is an
opportunity for every zoo and aquarium, regardless of size, to make a vital
conservation contribution, and for our community to be broadly acknowledged
as a credible conservation partner. Supporting this call to action is
clearly within the financial capacity of all zoos and aquariums, and engages
the diverse expertise found within all institutions. Our goal is 100%
participation of WAZA zoos and aquariums and the regional associations. If
we do not respond immediately and on an unprecedented scale, much of an
entire vertebrate class will be lost, and we will have failed in our most
basic conservation mission as defined in the World Zoo and Aquarium
Conservation Strategy.
Amphibian
Conservation Action Plan
Proceedings: IUCN/SSC Amphibian Conservation Summit 2005
www.amphibianark.org/ACAP.pdf
(668K)
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