The Role of Ex-Situ Management in the Conservation of Amphibians Kevin Zippel Bob Lacy IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group

The uncomfortable truth … Although there is much uncertainty, many species of amphibians are at very high of extinction in the wild, and may be lost forever if effective ex situ programs are not initiated very soon. 100? 500? 1000? 2000? Precautionary Principle

What is being done? “... it is morally irresponsible to document amphibian declines and extinctions without also designing and promoting a response to this global crisis.” … and the ex situ community is responding!

1990s – DAPTF –the declines are real and serious 2004 – GAA results announced –we are in an extinction crisis May 2005 – ARAZPA/SEAZA/CBSG August – CBSG convenes planning meeting September – Amphibian Conservation Summit –call to action –designation of Amphibian Specialist Group October – WAZA/CBSG annual meeting November – CBSG hires APO

February 2006 – Panama meeting April – AZA Training, with sponsorships May – PAAZAB May – Mexico Training and Strategy June – ASA structure meeting August - WAZA/CBSG annual meetings September – AZA, EAZA September – Madagascar October – Costa Rica Colombia, Tanzania, …

The Mandates 2005 IUCN ACAP White Papers: –“Survival assurance colonies are mandatory for amphibian species that will not persist in the wild long enough to recover naturally once environments are restored; these species need to be saved now through ex-situ measures so that more complete restoration of ecosystems is possible in the future” 2005 IUCN ACAP Declaration: –“The ACAP recommends prioritized... captive survival assurance programs... to buy time for species that would otherwise become extinct...” 2006 IUCN ACAP Report: –“The only hope for populations and species at immediate risk of extinction is immediate rescue for the establishment and management of captive survival-assurance colonies”

Conservation strategies in situ top priority but fails to protect against some threats ex situ when in situ is too slow or ineffective stopgap to buy time for species that would otherwise become extinct coupled with an obligation to deliver in situ threat mitigation the only hope for ~500 species

Making the Mandate Tangible To save from immediate extinction every species that needs ex situ conservation,... … each zoo must commit to secure the future for one amphibian species. ~500 zoos working individually and together = ~500 species saved

Are zoos and aquariums ready to respond? Currently very limited capacity to hold and breed amphibians in the world’s zoos (10/60, 10%) Most collections are cosmopolitan mixes with inadequate attention to hygiene and biosecurity Limited numbers of staff with amphibian skills

Do we have the resources? If each visitor contributes just 2 cents for amphibian conservation, then we will have all the funds that we need. If each zoo would devote to amphibians the resources that are devoted to the care of one high-profile, big mammal species in your collection, then we will have all the resources that we need.

We do have (or can have) the needed financial resources! Direct allocation from existing conservation or collection budgets Special fund-raising, individually and collectively

We do have (or can have) the needed financial resources! Direct allocation from existing conservation or collection budgets Special fund-raising, individually and collectively But the rest of the task will be challenging!

Challenges: We need more … Facilities Expertise Knowledge Techniques and standards Communication and coordination Partnerships Public awareness, support, and action

Challenges: We need more … Facilities Expertise Knowledge Techniques and standards Communication and coordination Partnerships Public awareness, support, and action Help is on the way!

WAZA and CBSG are together taking responsibility for helping to coordinate the global amphibian ex situ conservation response

Working in close partnership with the IUCN Amphibian Specialist Group

WAZA/CBSG Amphibian Ex situ Conservation Workshop February, 2006, El Valle Panama CBSG facilitated 50 participants from 14 countries 4 Working Groups focusing on two of ACAP topics

Working Group Themes Organization Best Practices Species Selection Rapid Response

But how do we decide how many resources to allocate, which species to save, and what receives priority for immediate action?

IUCN Red List Assessment for all 5,918 Known Amphibian Species plus a handful of biologically or phylogenetically unique taxa

IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group Global Amphibian Assessment Will identify candidate list of species at high risk of imminent extinction if not provided the short-term protection of ex situ breeding Will identify species of high ecological, evolutionary, economic, or cultural importance Will help to monitor coverage and gaps Will help to identify resources and opportunities

WAZA, Regional Associations, partnerships, and individual institutions Identify resources (survey and develop) Identify geographic, taxonomic, or other interests and opportunities Match resources and interests with candidate list Assess readiness and likelihood of success Do it! Communicate and coordinate globally Seek, support, develop links to in situ conservation

EW/CR Taxa for AZA

What Can My Zoo Do? Commit to saving at least one species –build rescue center onsite, in area in need, preferably both –get your staff trained and involved Support and expand existing efforts – rescue programs, field surveys, regional programs, and local conservation projects Participate in the global public awareness and capital campaigns

Build expertise AZA Amphibian Biology & Management - April –3 years, >60 students –6 Latin American students (Panama, Colombia, Mexico, Ecuador) ABM Mexico - May DWCT Amphibian Biodiversity Conservation - June –18 students, 15 countries ABM/ABC Colombia - October ABM Tanzania - ??

Building (up) facilities at home Antwerp, Atlantans, Auckland, Bristol, Cologne, Detroit, Houston, London, Melbourne, Omaha, Perth, San Antonio, Toledo who’s next?

Quarantine Standards Highest Standards: Animals or progeny out of range country destined for return to the wild (entrance and exit of pathogens) Intermediate Standards: Animals or progeny in range country destined for return to the wild (entrance of pathogens) Lowest Standards: Ex-situ or in-situ with no possibility of return to the wild. Animals not required for conservation or release. (exit of pathogens).

Building facilities offsite Houston Zoo - El Nispero Zoo (Panama) Zoo Zurich - Cali Zoo (Colombia) St. Louis Zoo - Catolica University (Ecuador) Omaha Zoo - Johannesburg Zoo London/Chester/Jersey Zoos - Dominica Chester - standardized mobile biosecure facilities who’s next?

The Perry Center consortium of zoos 18 institutions pledged $82/150K for operation 100 % construction (~$650K) 50% operation (~$150k/yr) ex situ management, training, research

Amphibian Apathy: does anyone like amphibians? Traveling exhibits –Shedd 1996 –Aquarium of the Americas 2000 –Moody Gardens 2002 –Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland 2003/2005 booked into 2009/2010

Detroit’s NACC –opening lines regularly exceeded 100 –zoo attendance rose 22% Moody Gardens –almost identical increase in attendance Reptiland –at AMNH, tickets sold out most weekends –the most popular exhibit in the museum's history – terrific press in New York Times, The New Yorker, New York Today, CNN, Associated Press, …

What is the Amphibian Ark? AArk is a joint effort of WAZA, CBSG, and ASG formed to address the ex situ components of the ACAP. The mission is to ensure long-term survival in nature utilizing short-term ex situ management of amphibian taxa for which adequate protection in the wild is not currently possible. AArk will coordinate ex situ programs implemented by global partners (i.e., you!). Members of the AArk will be members of WAZA, regional, or national zoo associations, AArk-approved private partners and AArk-approved museums, universities and wildlife agencies.

Steering Committee Co-chairs: WAZA, CBSG, ASG Taxon Management Groups Taxon Rescue Plans WAZA members and affiliates private sector partners Other approved ex situ facilities (e.g. universities, wildlife agencies) Regional Zoo & Aquarium Association members Training OfficerCommunications OfficerTaxon Officer Advisors: Reintro, Vet, Gene Banking, Legal, Ethical, etc. Other Officers: Regional, Institutional WAZACBSGASG IUCN SSC ResearchConservationAssessment In situ Amphibian Program Officer Other members: Regional Zoo Assocs, Private, Academia, Government Amphibian Ark