Amphibians in zoos: a global approach on distribution patterns of threatened amphibians in zoological collections

Abstract

In 2008, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria and Amphibian Ark proclaimed the ‘Year of the Frog’. In the present study, based on analyses conducted in April and May 2017, the selection of amphibian species in zoos was investigated almost 10 years after that campaign. Given the huge diversity of amphibians, their representation in zoological collections was still poor, with only around 7% (540 species) of all extant amphibian species kept in zoos (76% anurans, 22% caudates and 2% caecilians). Only 10·4% of the amphibians in zoos were kept in sufficient numbers in different collections, while a further 10·1% were represented by a single specimen. Only 4·3% of the amphibian species that were recommended by the Amphibian Ark for ex situ conservation were kept in zoos. Moreover, 44·3% of the globally threatened amphibians in zoos were each held by a single zoo only. With some exceptions, reproduction success of amphibians in zoos was low and reported for only 10% of amphibian species in two or more institutions within one year. In the present study, a richness analysis provided further insights into the focus areas of amphibians in zoological collections. Large numbers of zoos in North America and Europe maintained amphibian collections of global importance, although the distribution of these institutions did not match the natural distribution of target species that were most urgently in need of ex situ rescue. Investing in conservation‐breeding programmes and cooperation with local partners will help to increase the number of threatened amphibian taxa in zoos. Although the global zoo community’s response to the amphibian decline is slow, it still holds the capability to procure a shift from common to threatened taxa. By providing their expertise and facilities for the keeping and (conservation) breeding of threatened amphibian taxa, zoos can play a key role in amphibian conservation in terms of the ‘One Plan approach’.

Assessment of the threat status of the amphibians in Vietnam - Implementation of the One Plan Approach

“…For the maintenance of healthy ex situ populations, a network of keeping facilities is recommended (e.g., Ziegler et al 2020). It is also important to maintain multiple safeguard populations against unforeseen events (such as disease outbreaks or natural catastrophes) (e.g., Jacken et al 2020). Only 11 out of 29 held amphibian species exceed the criterion of at least four holding institutions suggested by Jacken et al (2020).…”

“…It is also important to maintain multiple safeguard populations against unforeseen events (such as disease outbreaks or natural catastrophes) (e.g., Jacken et al 2020). Only 11 out of 29 held amphibian species exceed the criterion of at least four holding institutions suggested by Jacken et al (2020). Of the five threatened species (according to IUCN 2021) kept in zoos, only two, Theloderma bicolor and Tylototriton vietnamensis, are currently held in four or more institutions.…”

“…Considering the One Plan Approach, supported by the IUCN, that aims to develop integrative strategies to combine in situ and ex situ measures with groups of experts for the purpose of improved species conservation, another goal of this study was to analyze the representation of extant amphibian species from Vietnam in zoos worldwide. Such an approach has already been performed for amphibians globally (Jacken et al 2020), but not yet for a particular region in Southeast Asia. As this study presents a topical review of the amphibian fauna of Vietnam, the first objective was to provide an updated species list for all amphibian species extant in Vietnam.…”

Review of threatened Malagasy freshwater fishes in zoos and aquaria: The necessity of an ex situ conservation network—A call for action

“…In total, eleven endemic species are classified as Critically Endangered, thus facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild, but which are not yet kept ex situ (Table 8 ). To obtain a stable conservation breeding network, we strongly recommend increased efforts to better distribute species among institutions, to prevent the loss of a given species due to unforeseen local events such as disease outbreak, accidents, natural disasters or technical failures (see also Jacken et al, 2020 ; Wahle et al, 2021 ).…”

Activity patterns and reproductive behavior of the Critically Endangered Bermuda skink (Plestiodon longirostris)

“…Ex‐situ conservation breeding has played a major role in the recovery of at least 25% of species whose threat level has been reduced (Conde et al, 2011). These ex‐situ populations are especially valuable for species with small, fragmented in‐situ populations that are threatened by disease, pressure from invasive species or destructive events (Jacken et al, 2020). Zoos also contribute more widely to species conservation (Fa et al, 2014) through animal welfare and veterinary research (e.g., Binding et al, 2020), public outreach and education (e.g., Consorte‐McCrea et al, 2019) and supporting and running in‐situ projects (e.g., Gusset & Dick, 2010).…”