The Houston Zoo began the development of the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center (EVACC) in El Valle de Anton, Panama in 2005 as a response to the decline in amphibian populations due to habitat loss, overcollection and the imminent threat from a fungal epidemic known as “chytrid“. Today, it is believed that nearly 30% of the 6,000+ known amphibian species are threatened with extinction.
On a recent visit to El Valle de Anton, we took the opportunity to head out to one of the field sites where a frog known as the Harlequin Frog (Atelopus varius) had once existed in large numbers. The chytrid fungus had reached this area a number of years and a small population was brought into a captive setting at the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center for safeguarding against the threat of extinction.
Approximately 2 hours from El Valle de Anton is El Cope National Park and one of the few sites where this species may still exist. El Cope rises over 3,000 feet above sea level with the park first being created in 1986, acting as a watershed between the Pacific and the Panamanian Caribbean. Home to jaguar, mountain lion, tapir, monkeys and numerous birds, it is the amphibians which once made this place unique. Although a glimpse ofthe areas mammals and birds was always special. It was the nenver ending sound of dozens of amphibian species calling in the late afternoon and early evening hours which brought this cloud forest alive.
A Somber Silence. But now that is all but gone. There were 2-3 species of amphibians seen on this visit but it is a vastly different forest today than it was just 5 years ago. The same fate has taken amphibian species across the Central America corridor from Costa Rica down through Panama and heading upwards from Colombia.
Until the time comes when conservation biologists can determine it is safe to return amphibians to their native habitat, the Houston Zoo and partners will coninue to maintain assurance colonies of amphibians in their native countries, and spend time in the field surveying remaining amphibian populations. If you would like to support our amphibian efforts in Panama, you can follow the link to http://www.houstonzoo.org/amphibians/
Panamanian Golden Frog Atelopus zeteki
Marsupial Frog Hemiphractus fasciatus
Craugastor tabasarae with eggs. El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center
