Program Studies Diminishing Species
The Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) Queens Zoo and Bronx Zoo have partnered with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to lead a citizen-science program to monitor frogs-many of which are not able to leap out of the path of rapidly approaching extinction.
Called Frogwatch USA, the program will engage New Yorkers through hands-on work, data collection, and field trips to local natural areas to survey frogs. Frogwatch USA is a national citizen-science program administered by the AZA where individuals learn about wetlands in their communities and help identify where local populations of native frogs and toads are living by reporting their unique and individual calls.
The Queens Zoo and Bronx Zoo are two of the many participating AZA-accredited facilities.
Frogs and toads play an important role in the environment, serving as both prey and predator in wetland ecosystems and are considered to be reliable indicators of environmental health, the WCS noted. However, many species of frogs and toads are in major decline across the world due to climate change, disease, and wetland destruction.
In New York alone, cricket frog sites have dropped from 25 to only three or four over the last 10 years.
Frogwatch USA allows volunteers to do something to help save amphibians just by listening to frog calls and collecting data anywhere frogs exist. The volunteers attend training sessions conducted by WCS staff where they will learn the call of all 12 species that live in the tri-state area.
All of the data collected goes to WCS biologists and a national database that monitors population trends. This will show whether certain populations have fluctuated or remained the same year-to-year.
“Frogs are in decline almost everywhere. Now, thanks to citizenscience programs such as Frogwatch USA people can do something right in their own backyard to help save these amazing animals,” said Scott Silver, director of the Queens Zoo. “Frogwatch USA will be a fun, educational and rewarding experience for all those who participate.”
Frogwatch USA surveys take place throughout the spring, summer and fall. Surveying begins at night, about 30 minutes after sunset when these amphibians are most vocal.
The WCS works around the world in 60 countries to save wildlife and wild places. Through expansive population surveys, high-tech tools like camera traps and satellite collars, and collaboration with a wide array of local, national and international partners, the WCS conserves key wildlife populations around the world, working with more than 350 species including frogs and other amphibians.
For more information, call 1-718-271-1500 or visit www.queenszoo.com.
