Year of the Frog - European Association of Zoos and Aquaria

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eaza news 61 2008 06 eaza amphibian campaign Amphibian Alarm - EAZA Year of the Frog Campaign 2007/8 The ‘Year of the Frog’ has started! On 1 January 2008, the global Year of the Frog Campaign officially commenced. Regional contacts have been appointed on all continents where an amphibian campaign is being organised, and the Amphibian Ark is coordinating the various Year of the Frog events. The first global event was the ‘New Year Leapfrog’ campaign launch. The EAZA Year of the Frog Campaign was started a little bit earlier (in September 2007) and some EAZA members have already started their campaign activities. The EAZA Year of the Frog Campaign will be run like all previous EAZA Conservation Campaigns, the only difference being that similar campaigns are organised in other regions, creating WE nEED YOuR SuppORT! B e n g t H o l s t a n d Q u e n t i n B l o x a m , EAZA Amphibian Campaign planning group At the launch of the EAZA Amphibian Campaign in Warsaw, September 2007, EAZA chair Bert de Boer and Andras Krolopp of Countdown 2010 symbolically signed a certificate confirming the future cooperation in reaching the Countdown 2010 goals. The real certificate has now been signed, and the right text as to the commitment of EAZA has been entered. The text reads as follows: “EAZA committed itself 1) to support the commitments to halt or signifi- cantly reduce the current rate of biodiversity loss by 2010, 2) encourage decision makers at all levels, in both the public and the private sector, to contribute to these commitments, and 3) encourage and assist decision makers and societies in achieving the 2010 biodiversity target, notably through the EAZA Year of the Frog Campaign. These activities will generate public awareness and understanding of the amphibian extinction crisis, raise funds for implementing the ex situ aspects of ACAP (Amphibian Conservation Action Plan), encourage further EAZA member participation in amphibian ex situ conservation, raise awareness and funds to support and supplement the activities of the EAZA Amphibian Ark, further position IUCN and the zoo community as leaders in global conservation.” This is the formal part of the cooperation. But no certificate is worth more than the actions lying behind it. So, it is now up to all zoos and aquariums to put actions to the words. And the first thing we can all do is to register for the EAZA Year of the Frog Campaign. As was mentioned during the launch, the goal is to have a 100% participation among EAZA members. That is an optimistic goal, but should by far not be unrealistic, seen in the light of the serious threats that the amphibians are facing and the call for help that has been directed to the zoo community from all major conservation bodies. Our chair, Bert de Boer, said it very clearly during his speech: “This, however, also puts a great responsibility on us, the members of EAZA. We have to show the world that we are worth our reputation in campaigning for conservation. Therefore, I urgently call on all EAZA members to participate in this campaign. Each and every zoo and aquarium in Europe can and should play a role in this great endeavour. possibilities for global campaign events. All participating EAZA members will be kept informed of global activities and reports from other continents during the year. As usual, campaign updates will be published in EAZA News and on the EAZA website. All participating EAZA members are invited to send pictures and reports of their activities to Martijn Los (martijn.los@eaza.net) at the EAZA Executive Office. The campaign planning group has worked hard on compiling an excellent information package, presenting a great variety of suggestions for EAZA members’ campaign activities. Even members without frogs, toads or salamanders in their collections will find ways to successfully take part. However, as previous campaigns have shown, the eventual success will greatly depend on each participating member’s individual enthusiasm, creativity and effort. So, let us show the world that we can do it again! Let us grasp this unique chance to demonstrate that EAZA zoos and aquariums do not only preach conservation in words, but that we also actually are able to make a difference….” 60% to follow! Until now 117 EAZA members (just 40% of all EAZA members) have registered for the campaign. That is a good sign since we know from earlier
campaigns that most participants do not register until early spring. However, we would urge those of you who have not yet registered, to do so as soon as possible, in order for EAZA to send the right signal to the outside world; that we do care, and that we are willing to take on the responsibility that we have mentioned so often when talking about our tasks. The earlier we can show the world that we have 100% support for the campaign, the stronger we can make our campaign efforts and the better the result! So, a total number of 189 EAZA member institutions has not yet registered for the EAZA Year of the Frog Campaign and/or Amphibian Ark activities. The Global 2008 Year of the Frog Campaign got off to a ‘leaping’ start on 31 December 2007 and 1 January 2008. Zoos and aquariums throughout the world participated in the leapfrog event that marked the launch of the 2008 Year of the Frog. The children’s game ‘leapfrog’ is well known in many countries and several zoos invited their (young) visitors to join in this global game of leapfrog. Several EAZA member institutions joined the event as well. eaza amphibian campaign To reach the target we urge these EAZA members to register as soon as possible. The campaign registration form can be found in the Campaign Info Pack (page 19) or on the EAZA website member area. Alternatively, you can contact Martijn Los (martijn.los@eaza.net) at the EAZA Executive Office to register. If your institution cannot participate in the campaign for whichever reason, please think of other ways how your institution can get involved in amphibian conservation (and share your ideas). EAZA zoos and aquariums have to act now and contribute to saving the world’s amphibians! OnE gIAnT lEAp FOR MAnkInD…..OnE MORE STEp TO SAvE FROgS Lesley Dickie, global Year of the Frog Campaign manager photo zsl Following Münster Zoo’s large involvement in the EAZA Shellshock Campaign, it was decided to make an even bigger effort for the EAZA Year of the Frog Campaign with zoo director Jörg Adler being member of the EAZA Campaign Planning Group. Consequently, the zoo has set an ambitious fundraising target of €50,000. Although the campaign at Münster Zoo will not necessarily be limited to the formal running time of the campaign, i.e. one year. Münster Zoo has already organised the first event in support of the campaign, even before the official Children in the participating zoos and aquariums formed ‘teams’ to leapfrog over a certain distance sometimes making ‘ribbit’ noises at the same time. Specially prepared Amphibian Ark/Year of the Frog masks were handed out to the participating children. In many zoos the activity was started by a celebrity, or someone at the zoo, blowing a whistle or sounding a claxon. After successfully completing their leapfrog challenge, many zoos distributed momentos to the children, including inflatable frogs and Year of the Frog masks. With the New Year moving across the globe from East to West, a wave of staged leapfrog events took place around 11 am New Year’s Eve local time, with one zoo symbolically handing the game to the next zoo in the timeline or the next country in the timeline. Thereby creating one giant ‘leap’ across the globe launching the 2008 Year of the Frog. AMpHIbIAn CAMpAIgn AT MünSTER ZOO Martina Raffel, Münster Zoo, Germany launch of the EAZA Year of the Frog Campaign 2007/8. During the autumn school holidays, from 27 until 29 September 2007, children were invited to make frog ponds and frog pictures from Quadratologo ® canvas, to paint wooden frogs or to make their own frog buttons. While the children were busy and creative, their parents were informed about the amphibian extinction crisis at a ‘frog booth’. Several means of promotion were developed and a local sponsor was found. An attractive logo with the slogan of the local campaign ‘Kiss a frog’ was The giant leap took off in Auckland, New Zealand, moving westwards to Australia, Japan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India. Leaving Asia, the leap continued on through the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and on into Europe. EAZA member zoos in Russia, Hungary, Latvia, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom joined in the event. Crossing the Atlantic Ocean, the giant leap arrived in the Americas, with zoos in Mexico, Panama, Colombia and the United States ‘hopping’ for frogs. With this giant leap the 2008 Year of the Frog created a lot of publicity throughout the world on TV, radio and in print. More global events are planned for the Year of the Frog and hopefully many zoos will participate again. Many thanks to all who took place and who received their leapfrog participation certificate. photo münster zoo eaza news 61 2008 07
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Year of the Frog - European Association of Zoos and Aquaria

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