THE EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS’ AMPHIBIAN CAMPAIGN
2008 YEAR OF THE FROG
Last year, you helped staff raise over €40,000 for conservation charities, including the campaign for Madagascar.
This year, the zoos and wildlife parks of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) have joined together to raise funds and awareness for the EAZA Amphibian Conservation Group.
Come and join us this year and support our Frog Day Friday Open Evening!
Our Madagascar Open Evening was such a success last year that we’re pleased to announce that this year we are doing it again to help raise funds for the EAZA Amphibian Campaign!
Activities
We will have a special timetable of demonstrations, keeper talks and feeding times on the day:
- 3:00 pm Sea Lion demonstration
- 3:15 pm Feeding time: Wallabies and Rhea
- 4:00 pm Birds in Action demonstration
- 4:15 pm Keeper talk: Squirrel Monkeys
- 4:30 pm Keeper talk: Lemurs
- 4:45 pm Birds of Prey demonstration
- 5:00 pm Sea Lion demonstration
- 5:30 pm Feeding time: Penguins
- 5:45 pm Feeding time: Lemurs
- 6:00 pm Birds of Prey demonstration
- 6:15 pm Feeding time: Squirrel Monkeys
- 6:30 pm Keeper talk: Wallabies and Rhea
- 6:45 pm Keeper talk: Lemurs
- 7:30 pm Keeper talk: Penguins
- 7.45 pm Amphibian Show in the amphitheatre
- 7:45 pm Keeper talk: Squirrel Monkeys
- 8:00 pm Feeding time: Red River Hogs
Additional activities that will be taking place:
- Children’s funfair
- Face painting
- Fancy dress competition for children
- Arts and crafts, lucky dip, competitions
- Bouncy castle
EAZA Amphibian Campaign – where will the funds raised go?
Previous EAZA campaigns have aimed to raise money for in-situ conservation work however this years campaign is different as only a few in-situ projects exist for Amphibians, so this year the money raised will be put towards the EAZA Amphibian Conservation Group.
The EACG (EAZA Amphibian Conservation Group) which is supported by IUCN (the worlds conservation union breeding specialist group) will rescue amphibians and place them into “protective custody” in hundreds of ex-situ zoo’s and aquariums (off-show) for safe keeping, breeding and the long term survival of amphibians for which protection in the wild is not currently available.
The hope is that these amphibians will then be released back into the wild when the original threats have been neutralized.
This crisis provides a unique opportunity to demonstrate to the world that zoo’s and aquariums are a valid and powerful conservation tool.
Why amphibians??
- They play a crucial role in the ecosystem as both predators and prey.
- They perform invertebrate pest control which is important to agricultural efforts.
- Their skin offers substances that offer promising medical cures
- They are one of the most crucial indicator species to climate change.
- After surviving 360 million years one third to one half of all amphibians are in danger of becoming extinct. 120 species have already become extinct in recent years. This could potentially be the single most largest disappearance of species since the dinosaurs.
- South America is the area where amphibians are most affected, with Brazil currently having the most species and the highest amount of endemic species (found no where else) However Colombia has the highest number of threatened species.
- We grew up with frogs and other amphibians in our surroundings and future generations also need the opportunity to recognize and experience the importance of these animals.
What is the cause of the decline?
- Chytrid Fungus – A highly infectious disease which invades frogs skin. From the site of introduction it often strikes in a wave like fashion and is capable of destroying large populations, 50% of species and 80% of individuals.
- Habitat loss
- Pollution
- Human Disturbance
- Fires
Woburn Safari Park and EAZA campaigns
At the Annual Conference of the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA) held in September 2007, Woburn Safari Park was announced as the top fundraiser for the campaign to help the animals and habitat of Madagascar. This is out of a total of 303 European Zoos who are members of the organisation. Woburn was the only institution to break the €40,000 barrier and at the end of August had raised almost 10% of the total. Woburn Safari Park is the first zoo or Safari Park in the seven year history of the EAZA in-situ campaigns to be awarded a ‘Red’ certificate. Red was selected for this award as animals on the IUCN Red list are the most endangered. At a special awards ceremony, Woburn also received a commendation for outstanding achievement for our campaign efforts based on the money raised, our diverse approach to raising funds and awareness and for the support provided to the campaign by Woburn and especially by the Duke of Bedford.
A series of events held throughout the year have made it a year of fun and excitement and a great reason to join us at Woburn. To find out more about the Amphibian Campaign as well as other ongoing conservation projects please visit the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquaria (BIAZA)
‘Frog Day Friday’ Evening Safari and Open Evening
Friday 1st August 2008
3.00pm – 7.30pm last entry into the Safari Park, closes 9.00pm.
Last entry into the Safari Park Reserves at 7.30pm, Wild World Leisure Area closes at 9.00pm
Admission prices
£6 per person from 3pm to 7.30pm (last entry) on the day.
