Caribbean Times 39th Issue - Tuesday 28th June 2016

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12 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g Tuesday 28th June 2016 International effort to save Dominica and Montserrat Mountain Chicken from extinction CHESTER, England – Dominica and Montserrat’s Mountain Chicken frog, long prized as a delicacy for its succulent meat, is on the verge of extinction. The species has suffered from years of over-hunting as well as habitat loss on several eastern Caribbean islands where it once lived. The introduction of invasive species of predators, volcanic eruptions on Montserrat, and the chytridiomycosis fungal disease have also contributed to the species becoming critically endangered. Hunting the Mountain Chicken frog, or crapaud as it is known locally, is now illegal in Dominica and Montserrat in an effort to protect the surviving few. Now, Britain’s Chester Zoo is working in collaboration with other zoos to help save the species from extinction through a breeding programme that is the first of its kind ever to focus on amphibians. Two dozen frogs have been carefully paired using detailed genetic information in a new breeding effort which is viewed as the only remaining hope for the longterm survival of the species. Together with Zoological Society of London (ZSL), the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in the UK, and Norden Ark in Sweden, Hunting the Mountain Chicken frog, or crapaud as it is known locally, is now illegal in Dominica and Montserrat in an effort to protect the surviving few. Chester Zoo aims to ensure a genetically viable population of the frogs kept in bio-secure conditions which, one day, could see them reintroduced into the wild. According to Dr Gerardo Garcia, curator of lower vertebrates and invertebrates at Chester Zoo and studbook holder for the mountain chicken breeding programme: “Essentially we’ve created a dating agency for one of the largest and most endangered frog species in the world. “Based on genetic evidence and DNA sampling we’ve matched together the best pairs of mountain chicken frogs from the four institutions in Europe that work with them – to try and breed the most genetically viable population of the frogs that we possibly can. “Our ultimate aim is to reintroduce these wonderful animals back into the wild where, sadly, their numbers have been completely decimated. “To do that we need a long-term sustainable breeding programme and this is the first and only European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) for an amphibian, so it’s a real landmark plan that we’ve developed. The frogs are spiralling closer and closer to extinction – so it really is do or die for them. “Protecting mountain chicken frogs is incredibly important to conservationists. These frogs are the top terrestrial predator on the Caribbean islands where they live and crucial to the control of pests and insects. “They have a key role in the eco-system and their disappearance could potentially have an impact on crops and, subsequently, livelihoods. These frogs have also always been culturally important to the islands. “Mountain chickens are incredibly charismatic and there’s no other species that’s like them. “However, what we’re doing to try and protect them is not just about this species, as what is learnt here can be applied to others in the future. Right now we have no idea just how valuable this work could be.” Chester Zoo works with universities and other experts in the field to carry out research, much of which is done in three specially built laboratories at the zoo, called A-Pods. One of the A-Pods is entirely devoted to helping save the mountain chicken. The mountain chicken is one of the world’s biggest frogs and its powerful back legs can propel it over a man’s head, or for a distance of more than six feet. Mainly crepuscular or nocturnal, it rests during the day (inside burrows, under logs or camouflaged on leaf litter) and comes out to hunt for food at dusk. The mountain chicken got its name because its meat tastes like chicken. Its own diet consists largely of insects, snails, spiders, centipedes, sometimes geckoes, smaller frogs and even snakes. (Caribbean360)
Tuesday 28th June 2016 c a r i b b e a n t i m e s . a g 13 Foul mouth at St Kitts Music Festival costs American rapper 50 Cent BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – American hip-hop star 50 Cent paid a fine of EC$3,000 (US$1,111) and was allowed to fly back to the United States Sunday, after being arrested for using indecent language on stage at the St. Kitts Music Festival. The 40-year-old rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, along with a member of his entourage, Bajar Walter, were each slapped with fines when they appeared in a rare Sunday sitting of the court and pleaded guilty. Walter had also been accused of obstruction of justice but that charge was dropped. 50 Cent was arrested on Saturday night after an hour-long performance at the Warner Park Stadium that included his profanity-laced hit, P.I.M.P. He and Walter were each granted EC$5,000 (US$1,851) bail in the early RIO DE JANEIRO – Rio de Janeiro’s acting governor warned Monday that the Olympic Games could be a “big failure,” because of budget shortfalls that threaten to compromise security and mobility during the games. In an interview with Rio’s O Globo daily, Francisco Dornelles said the state is still awaiting a 2.9 billion Brazilian real ($860 million) payout from the federal government aimed at shoring up state coffers ahead of the Aug. 5-21 event. The funds were allocated last week but have not yet reached the state, and Dornelles warned that without them, police patrols may grind to a halt by the end of the week, for lack of gas money. “How are people going to feel protected in a city without security,” Dornelles was quoted as asking. “I’m optimistic about the games, but I have to show reality,” he said. “We can have a great Olympics, but if some steps aren’t taken, it can be a big failure.” Rio has been particularly hard-hit by the recession besetting Brazil, which saw the economy shrink by around 4 percent last year and joblessness spike. The state is highly reliant on sinking oil royalties, and prior governments awarded billions in tax exemptions that resulted in near-empty coffers. Another worrying issue for Dornelles is the metro line that was meant to ferry tourists to the main Olympic venue in the far-western Rio area of Barra da Tijuca. Promised for late last year, the metro is still not ready. A nearly 1 billion real ($290 million) federal loan aimed at finishing the project has also not yet been released. “I’ve said that without security and without the hours of Sunday and released after surrendering their travel documents. They were originally scheduled to appear before a magistrate yesterday, but the court which is usually closed on weekends was opened yesterday so 50 Cent could make an afternoon flight back to the US for Sunday night’s BET Awards. 50 Cent’s rep, Amanda Ruisi, issued a statement after his arrest, explaining that he had only been booked to host the show, but had later been asked to perform. “When he arrived at the festival, organizers asked him to perform. He obliged and used the DJ they had there. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the clean version to his tracks, so there were profanities used during his performance,” she said. However, Ruisi suggested that despite the incident, the In Da Club rap- Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson per who filed for bankruptcy last year might still return to the twin-island federation. “The show was a great success and he will make sure for future trips to St. Kitts that he leaves the [profanities] in the United States,” she said. Back in 2003 another American rapper, DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was also fined for using indecent language during a concert. (Caribbean360) Rio governor warns Olympics could be ‘big failure’ metro there will be difficulties,” Dornelles was quoted as saying. He also called the situation in the state’s health care system “calamitous,” and said the policy of deferring or paying state workers’ salaries in installments “is a form of slave labor.” Formerly Rio’s vice governor, 81-year-old Dornelles was thrust into the hot seat after Rio Governor Luiz Fernando Pezao was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and took medical leave earlier this year. Asked how it’s been to cont’d on pg 14
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Caribbean Times 39th Issue - Tuesday 28th June 2016

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