30th November
2012, Durrell Wildlife Trust
A
killer fungus that has wiped out populations of amphibians in many parts of the
world has not been detected in Madagascar yet. However, experts fear that if
the deadly chytrid fungus ever did strike, then many of the more than 290
described species endemic only to those shores could be gone for good. That’s
why a team from Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and Chester Zoo are working
with local conservation organisations to build the skills needed to respond to
the threat of a disease outbreak, should it arrive.
Senior
staff from Chester Zoo and Durrell and are currently in Madagascar to deliver a
training programme which will equip local conservationists with the skills to
establish safety-net populations of threatened amphibians in captivity.
Amphibians
all over the world are being affected by the fungal disease, chytridiomycosis.
The disease thickens amphibian skin preventing the movement of fluids in and
out of their skin, which can lead to deadly heart failure.
Chester
Zoo’s Curator of Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates Dr Garcia said:
“Amphibians
already face lots of threats, most notably from habitat destruction and
alteration, however the chytrid fungus could be the last nail in the coffin. It
threatens many of the wild amphibian species around the globe with extinction
and it’s probably the first time ever that a disease has threatened to wipe out
an entire class of animals.
“There’s
a very real chance of a new epidemic in Madagascar and that’s why it’s vitally
important that careful, professional ex situ (captive) programmes are in place
to protect against chytrid - it’s that big of a threat.
“On
top of that, there are lots of unanswered questions about frogs in Madagascar
full stop. Working with them in an ex-situ setting could reveal some vital
information and help us understand how we can protect them in their own
environment and how to restore wild populations, should it ever become
necessary.”
Although
290 species of amphibian have been described in Madagascar, many more have been
discovered and are yet to be named. To date more than 90% are endemic to
Madagascar.
Head
of Durrell Conservation Academy Jamie Copsey added: “We already know that a
number of the amphibians unique to Madagascar are sensitive to the fungal
disease. An introduction of chytrid fungus could therefore have a devastating
effect. By working with local conservation organisations Durrell and Chester
Zoo hope to exchange skills and increase the number of institutions within
Madagascar with the capacity to establish captive populations that are most at
risk from the disease.”
After
seeing facilities already developed at the local community-based conservation
organisation, Mitsinjo, Amphibian Specialist Group Co-chair for Madagascar Dr.
Franco Andreone commented:
“A
great deal of ingenuity and imagination has already been injected into
conservation efforts in Madagascar by local organisations, in particular
Mitsinjo. We are working with them to determine how we can use
locally-available materials, such as plastic bottles and sponges, to make cheap but
effective alternatives to equipment we can find abroad. The aim is to establish
locally-run and effective captive breeding programmes that will make a
significant contribution to the conservation of Madagascars unique and diverse
amphibian fauna.”
The
Chester and Durrell team will be joined by amphibian experts from the IUCN
Amphibian Specialist Group and Turin Museum, Italy to deliver the training. The
project is being funded largely by EAZA (European Association of Zoo’s and
Aquaria).
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