Brandywine Zoo - What's New at the Zoo

What Is Year of The Frog?

Top Eight Ways to Help Frogs

Kermit The Frog Goes to Washington

Frog Jokes, Facts and Books

What is Year of the Frog?

2008 is the Year of the Frog! More than 70 members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), including the Brandywine Zoo, will be holding fun, family-friendly events and programs to educate people about amphibian conservation.

Why Year of the Frog? Frogs are going extinct. In fact, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) estimates that at least one-third of known amphibian species are threatened with extinction.

While the major culprit has historically been habitat loss and degradation, many of the declines and extinctions are now being attributed to the rapidly dispersing infectious disease chytridiomycosis, which is caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Bd is causing population and species extinctions at an alarming rate.

The Brandywine Zoo and other members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, with demonstrated expertise in endangered species breeding programs, have been called upon to meet this conservation challenge. The AZA will play a major role in addressing the amphibian extinction crisis - one of the most sweeping wildlife conservation challenges of our time. Read more about efforts to save the frogs.

Top Eight Ways to Help Frogs

Frogs are going extinct. So are toads, salamanders, newts, and the intriguingly unusual caecilians. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is highlighting 2008 as the Year of the Frog to mark a major conservation effort to address the amphibian extinction crisis. The Brandywine Zoo is partnering with the AZA in this initiative to help you learn more about how you can become a friend to frogs.

1. Look, listen, and learn: educate yourself and your family about amphibians.

With more than 6,000 frogs, toads, newts, salamanders, and caecilians worldwide, there's a lot to learn. Pick up a book, hop around the Internet, or watch your favorite animal television show to educate yourself and your family about amphibians.

2. Visit the Brandywine Zoo and experience your very own amphibian adventure!

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are helping to save frogs and other amphibians through breeding programs and by providing support for field conservation. They are also some of the best places to see and learn about amphibians from around the world. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting an institution dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things.

3. Create amphibian friendly environments by providing clean water, hiding places, and insects to eat.

Prime amphibian real estate includes leaf litter, rocks, logs, and a source of water - backyard ponds make a great family project!

4. Don't pollute.

Do your part to keep garbage, chemicals, and non-native plants and animals out of the natural environment. Amphibians absorb chemicals through their skin easily. They also fall prey to non-native species.

5. Be a responsible pet owner.

Discourage your canine and feline family members from pestering wildlife especially amphibians and birds. Curious cats and digging dogs cause a lot of stress for frightened amphibians. If you or your pet encounters an amphibian, study, look, listen, and then leave it where it is.

6. Conserve water at home, school, and work.

Save water by using collected rainwater for watering gardens and potted plants. The water you save now remains a clean habitat for wild amphibians without being chemically treated.

7. Reduce the use of fossil fuels, such as oil, coal and natural gas.

Climate change is impacting amphibian populations worldwide. By using less energy or choosing renewable sources of energy, you can help slow the rate of climate change. Drive less, buy fuel-efficient cars, and use compact fluorescent light bulbs!

8. Be an amphibian champion.

Donate to wildlife conservation programs, such as the AZA Amphibian Fund. Participate in citizen-science monitoring programs with your family. Be aware of legislation affecting wildlife and their habitat, global warming, and land use and development issues.

To learn more and to pledge to be a Friend to Frogs, visit www.aza.org/yearofthefrog.

Kermit The Frog Goes to Washington

Kermit the Frog and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums brought the Year of the Frog initiative to Capitol Hill, educating Members of Congress about the key role of zoos and aquariums in addressing the amphibian extinction crisis.

"The Association of Zoos and Aquariums has declared 2008 the Year of the Frog; and with good reason. A fungus, which kills 80 percent of exposed frogs, toads and salamanders, has spread to every continent," said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. "One-third of all amphibians on the planet could be lost because of this fungus and other threats."

Habitat loss, pollution, and invasive species continue to threaten amphibian populations. But the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) presents a unique conservation challenge. Hundreds of amphibian species will die if left in their native habitats. They can only be saved if they are collected and housed in bio-secure facilities until answers can be found.

Lending critical support to the effort, Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund has made a $250,000 donation to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Amphibian Fund, which will support the urgent need to research, house, and care for hundreds of amphibians threatened with extinction.

"In addition to lending their scientific expertise, accredited zoos and aquariums are serving as environmental educators, reaching 157 million visitors each year," said Dr. Jackie Ogden, Vice President for Animal Programs and Environmental Initiatives at Walt Disney World and Disney's Animal Kingdom. "Disney hopes that those visitors, and everyone who cares about our planet, will contribute to the AZA Amphibian Fund too and help double the donation to save the frogs."

"Disney's conservation leadership will enable zoos and aquariums, partnered with international conservation organizations, to respond on an unprecedented scale," Maddy added. "Accredited zoos and aquariums have the unique scientific knowledge to prevent the mass extinction of amphibians. Disney has provided critical resources to jumpstart the mission, and now we are taking our message to Congress to generate Federal support."

Zoo and aquarium visitors everywhere are participating in year-long educational activities including leapfrog contests, frog calling, zookeeper and aquarist talks, amphibian scavenger hunts, salamander habitat investigations, and close encounters with colorful and unusual amphibians.

"Going to your local AZA-accredited zoo and aquariums is a great way for families to support wildlife conservation and have a great time doing it," said Maddy.

The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund (DWCF) was established in 1995 on Earth Day (April 22) as a global awards program for the study and protection of the world's wildlife and ecosystems. It provides annual awards to US nonprofit conservation organizations working alongside their peers in other countries. In 1998, as Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park opened, the DWCF made its first grants. Since then, the DWCF has supported 650 projects with more than $11 million in grants to organizations and individuals working in 110 countries.

Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, the AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. To find the accredited zoo or aquarium near you, visit www.aza.org.

Frog Jokes, Facts & Books

FROG Jokes

Q: What kind of shoes do frogs wear?
A: Open toad!

Q: What happens when two frogs collide?
A: They get tongue tied!

Q: What did the frog say to the fly?
A: You are really starting to bug me!

Q: Why are frogs good at baseball?
A: Because they catch a lot of fly balls.

Q: Why did the frog say meow?
A: He was learning a foreign language.

FROG Facts

Did You Know?

The Bull Frog is the largest True Frog in North America. It can weigh up to 1.2 lbs, and grow up to 18 inches long.
Frogs have teeth on their upper jaws but none on their lower, while toads have no teeth.
Toads have relatively short legs and lack the jumping ability and range of frogs.
You cannot get warts from toads or frogs.

FROG Books we recommend

The Wide-Mouthed Frog by Keith Faulkner, illustrated by Jonathan Lambert
One, Two, Three, Jump by Penelope Lively, illustrated by Jan Ormerod
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Frogs and the Ballet by Donald Elliott, illustrated by Clinton Arrowood
All About Frogs by Jim Arnosky