Nearly everybody can recognize toads and frogs. These are great vertebrate animals that undergo metamorphosis from eggs to adult form. This incredible process was an essential part of their invasion to the Earth.

Amphibians are essential constituents of a healthy natural world as well as their intrinsic value as parts of the nature. They have many benefits:

• They play an important role in ecosystems where they live in, both as predators and preys, helping to keep the delicate nature balance.

• Amphibians help to control invertebrate plagues, which is vital in reducing the spread of diseases such as dengue and yellow fever.

• Amphibians’ skin produces substances that kill microbes and viruses, which promise the possible cures for multiple diseases, including the AIDS virus.

• The amphibians’ skin sensitivity and permeability make them signs of environmental health.

• For centuries, amphibians have been involved in the human culture worshipped as life agents and good luck.

After surviving for over 360 million years, half of all amphibians can disappear within in a short time. The Earth is facing a large extinction since the disappearance of dinosaurs. For every threatened bird or mammal, there are 2–3 amphibian species about to become extinct.

The Word Conservation Union (UICN) has exhorted zoos and aquariums to help save amphibians. One of the resulting actions has been the declaration of the year 2008 as the Frog International Year. In addition to spreading the current situation faced by these animals, it will start a series of short-term, medium-term and long-term programs and projects to recover and protect the populations of these important animals.

We invite you to get informed and join the efforts to succeed in preservation. There are actions and activities within everybody’s reach.

more information