Amphibian Alarm

What are amphibians?
Frogs, toads, salamanders and newts are all amphibians. Amphibians are divided into tail-less Anura (frogs and toads), the tailed Urodela (salamanders and newts) and Caecilians (a small, rare group of limbless amphibians with a worm-like appearance). Most amphibians spend part of their lives on dry land and the other part in water – hence their name (from Greek amphi “both” and bios “life”). Many types of amphibian begin their lives as tadpoles living in water, then undergo metamorphosis to an adult form that lives mainly on land. Amphibians have thin, sensitive skin that makes them prone to dehydration (this is why they prefer damp habitats) and to infection by pollutants. Amphibians are common everywhere in the world except for the poles and the most arid deserts. The tropical areas of South America and West Africa are home to the largest number of species. Amphibians exhibit some of the oddest reproduction habits in the world: in some cases the young are incubated in the stomach or under the skin. Some species are exemplary parents. 
 

Why are the amphibians disappearing?
Destruction of habitats – 3,700 species affected today
Urban and agricultural development damages nearby water sources, such as puddles, rivers and lakes. As a result, amphibians in the area cannot breed, search for food, aestivate (i.e., remain dormant during the summer heat) or find potential mates.
Pollution – 1,200 species affected today
Chemical pollution of water sources and / or the areas around them, acid rain, global warming, damage to the ozone layer and the powerful ultra-violet radiation this entails – all these adversely affect a large number of species, which can either no longer live in their previous habitats, or else survive in them only with difficulty and breed less effectively.
Invasive species – 500 species affected today
Human importation of non-indigenous species threatens amphibians that have not developed defense mechanisms against the species that have invaded their habitat. The introduction of exogenous species of fish, snakes, or even other amphibians can cause serious damage to local populations.
Illness – 500 species affected today
The chytridiomicosis fungus is spreading over large areas of the world, killing large populations of amphibians at great speed. In captivity this infection is easily treated, but so far no means has been found of stopping its spread in the wild.
Fires – 700 species affected today
Brush fires, whose incidence is increasing as habitats change, cause serious damage to amphibian populations in the areas affected.
Hunting – 300 species affected today
The hunting and collection of amphibians for eating or for sale as food or pets seriously damages populations of the targeted species.
The number of species at risk grows by the minute!

 

What is the situation with Israel’s amphibians? Six species of amphibian live in Israel:
Eastern spadefoot toad (Pelobates syriacus) – in grave danger of extinction
The spadefoot toad lives in northern and central Israel. The adults spend the summer deep underground (hence their name), while in winter they are active around their breeding sites. Spadefoot tadpoles are enormous, and can reach up to 13 centimeters in length. Banded Newt (Triturus vittatus) – in grave danger of extinction
Found mainly in northern and central Israel, the banded newt spends the summer underground and emerges to mate in winter. This newt is extremely sensitive to pollution, and numbers in Israel are estimated to have dropped by 95% because of contamination of water sources.
European Green Toad (Bufo viridis) – in danger of extinction
This toad used to be found mainly in northern and central Israel. In recent decades, however, it has spread southwards to the Negev and the Arava because of human settlement. In recent years fewer of these toads have been observed, and surveys reveal a significant drop in the number of breeding sites.
Near Eastern Fire Salamander (Salamandra infraimmaculata) – in danger of extinction
A number of fragmented populations of this salamander can be found in the Carmel, Galilee, River Dan and Hermon regions. Unlike other salamanders found in Israel, the females of this variety do not lay eggs but give birth to live tadpoles.
Green Tree Frog (Hyla savignyi) – under threat
Green tree frogs can be found everywhere in Israel, from north to south. Despite their adaptation to life in areas near human habitation, the number of breeding sites available to them is diminishing.
Levant Water Frog (Rana bedriagae) – at risk
Israel’s most commonly encountered amphibian, this frog is found not only in the north and centre of the country but also in proximity to stable water sources in the Jordan Valley and along the shores of the Dead Sea. Unlike other species, the Levant Water Frog is active mainly in summer. Although it is still found in comparatively large numbers, its populations, too, have been adversely affected by pollution and scarcity of water sources.
Another formerly local species, the Israel Painted Frog / Palestinian Painted Frog (Discoglossus nigriventer), which was found only in Israel, became extinct in the 1950s, when Lake Hula was drained. It has now disappeared from the face of the earth. 
 

What are zoos doing to help the amphibians?
Establishing breeding nuclei. Breeding nuclei are designed to ensure the continued existence of species whose future in the wild is in doubt, until the day comes when they can be returned to their natural habitat.
Research. The following aspects of amphibian life are being studied at present: care, breeding, and feeding in captivity, so that better breeding nuclei can be established; veterinary care in both captivity and the wild; rare species and their way of life; programs for returning species to the wild; funding for field studies, etc.
Raising public awareness of the issue. By making visitors aware of the problem we can motivate larger numbers of people to help solve it.
Educating the next generation. By teaching our children, the next generation, to protect amphibians and the natural world in general, we can help to prevent repetition of the problem in the future (we hope that by the time they grow up we can give a better world into their keeping).

 

How bad is the situation of amphibians in the wild?
The total number of recognized amphibian species is 5,918.
53 species are already completely extinct or living only in captivity (i.e., they are extinct in the wild).
456 species are defined as being in serious danger of extinction, and some of these are in fact already extinct. 
769 species are in danger of extinction.
669 species are under threat.
367 species are at risk.
1,384 species have not been researched sufficiently for their situation to be defined, but would appear to be in danger of extinction.
2,515 species are in decline (including many of those not currently in danger of extinction).
1,574 species are stable.
30 species only are on the rise. 
1,799 species have not been researched sufficiently for their demographic tendency to be clear, but most of them would appear to be in decline.

 

Mantidactylus aglavei, Gerardo Garcia

We shall suffer from the same environmental problems that are killing the amphibians!
Because of their thin skin, amphibians are more sensitive than we are to problems such as air and water pollution and powerful ultra violet radiation. These problems affect amphibians today, and if we do not find a solution to them now they will get worse, and these same problems will affect us in the future.
We shall be deprived of a lot of important medicines!
Because of their sensitivity and thin skin, amphibians manufacture a variety of substances that protect them from bacteria, fungi, viruses and predators. Many of these substances are already being used today to provide human beings with remedies for pain, cancer and other ills. This research, however, is in its initial stages, and, if the amphibians disappear, we shall not be able to discover additional remedies. For example, two species that held the secret of a cure for stomach ulcers became extinct before research was completed, and the secret died with them.
The ecological fabric to which we belong will be damaged!
Amphibians are an important part of the ecological fabric in many regions. They provide food for large numbers of predators, while themselves preying upon other smaller creatures. If the amphibians disappear, we may not notice their absence at first. However, every link lost from the ecological chain brings the whole system nearer to collapse. It is hard for us to forecast precisely when the last straw will break the camel’s back – or, in this case, cause the entire ecosystem to fail. It could happen after the disappearance of the next species of amphibian, or it could take place many years from now. But when the whole system collapses we shall find ourselves facing a very grave problem indeed.

 

What can you do to save the amphibians?
1. Most important of all - Buy “Save a Frog” products at the zoo and help establish breeding nuclei in captivity which are at present the only possible solution for many species. As the chytridiomicosis fungal infection spreads throughout the world, a large number of species will disappear from the wild, and only breeding nuclei in captivity can ensure that they do not vanish altogether from the face of the earth. All money received from sale of The  Year of the Frog products will be used to establish breeding nuclei and protection of amphibian species.
2. Speak out against development at the expense of nature. Yes, it’s true we have to keep building houses and roads. We all understand that. But development can be carried out responsibly and prudently, with minimal impact on the environment’s natural sites, plants and animals. Join our protest against development projects that damage the environment. This will benefit all of us, not just the amphibians. 
3. Try to avoid damaging amphibian habitats and breeding grounds such as puddles, reservoirs, rivers and the land around them. Don’t litter, don’t paddle in the water (stirring up the mud stifles the tadpoles), don’t drive over them in all-terrain vehicles, etc., etc., etc. 

 

And always remember – it’s better to light a small candle than curse the dark!
(An ancient Chinese proverb adopted by Eleanor Roosevelt)

Nature in general and amphibians in particular are on the verge of destruction.
In its scope, the extinction of the amphibians is reminiscent of the Biblical flood or the annihilation of the dinosaurs.
But if each one of us lights just one little candle and makes some small contribution to the conservation of nature and the amphibians, in the end we shall have a great light.

This is the light that will illuminate the future of our children