Amphibian Conservation at Marwell Zoo

I recently visited Marwell Zoo to donate some animals to a very exciting conservation project which is starting up there. Marwell Zoological Park is owned and run by Marwell Preservation Trust, a registered charity dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and natural habitats both locally and internationally. Traditionally, the Zoo has concentrated on hoofed animals (they're very proud of their giraffes, and very pretty they are too), but this year, the Zoo has invested very heavily in an amphibian conservation project, Leap 4 Life, part of the Year of the Frog.

The Zoo has just built an extremely impressive amphibian research and breeding facility which has secure biocontainment and where the public will be able to see the work being carried out in the laboratory through large viewing windows. As Marwell points out:

• After thriving for over 360 million years, one third to one half of all amphibian species could disappear in the immediate future.
• For every threatened bird or mammal species, there are 2-3 amphibians nearing extinction.
• Earth is facing the single largest mass extinction since the disappearance of dinosaurs.

Visit: How you can help (lots of fun activities for families and children) or make a donation.