Zoos across the world united at 11am for a giant, simultaneous leapfrog marking the launch of a campaign.
2008 has been declared the Year of the Frog to raise awareness of a looming, mass extinction of amphibian species – the most significant sinc
e the dinosaur.
One third to one half of all amphibian species are in danger of disappearing in our lifetime. Amphibian Ark is a campaign supported by zoos to rescue the most endangered 500 species that cannot be saved in the wild.
The campaign is supported by the IUCN/Species Survival Commission (SSC) Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), of which Chester Zoo's director general Gordon McGregor Reid is president.
Year of the Frog will raise awareness of the problems facing amphibians and help with fundraising for the Amphibian Ark project.
Liz Child, head of Visitor Services, is co-ordinating Chester's contribution to the effort.
"It's been a while since I attempted a leapfrog but I was determined to get some practice in seeing as this is such a good cause," she said.
"It is fantastic that so many zoos throughout Europe and indeed the world will stop for a just a few minutes and show their support for amphibians.
"This was a fun way of bringing home some very serious messages about the future many amphibian species face and a great launch pad for Year of the Frog. We were proud to be a part of it."
The full article contains 276 words and appears in Evening Leader Wrexham newspaper.
