Philadelphia, PA-NJ (1888PressRelease)
July 12, 2008 - Amphibian Ark, a global conservation organization formed in an effort to help save the world’s amphibians from mass extinction, is announcing its third frog naming rights auction, beginning immediately. The highest bid made on www.CharityBuzz.com will win the naming rights to a newly discovered species in the genus Anomaloglossus, an endangered “nurse frog” indigenous to Venezuela. From one-third to one-half of the planet’s 6,000 amphibian species – frogs and toads, salamanders and newts, and caecilians – are in danger of extinction and the nurse frog is no exception. The causes for these declines and extinctions come in different forms, including habitat loss, climate change, emerging diseases, pollution, and over collection for food and pets.
“After thriving for 360 million years, frogs are in harm’s way,” said Jean-Michel Cousteau, supporter of Amphibian Ark and founder of the Oceans Future Society. “Because amphibians are the first to feel the effects of environmental stressors that could ultimately harm humans, the time to act is now.”
This fantastic frog lays eggs on land! The parents guard the eggs and keep them moist until they hatch, then carry the tadpoles (hence nurse frog) to protected pools of water to complete their development. This previously unknown species was discovered by scientists in 2004.
The winning bidder’s selected name will be published in a scientific journal. The winner will also receive a photo of the frog engraved with its new name, and a framed letter of thanks from Jeff Corwin. In addition, arrangements can be made to see some threatened frogs in their natural habitat in Venezuela, where the winners’ contribution supports conservation programs.
The proceeds will be used by Amphibian Ark partners in Venezuela to save some of the country’s most endangered amphibian species – including the new, nurse frog. The auction is being conducted by CharityBuzz.
Auctioning off naming rights for species is a growing tactic by wildlife protection organizations to raise the funds necessary to protect our planet’s biodiversity. Recent auctions have allowed philanthropists to name butterflies, monkeys, and fish.
“We are very proud to be working with Amphibian Ark in their incredibly worthy project to help raise money to protect endangered amphibians,” said Coppy Holzman, CEO of CharityBuzz.com. “Based on our prior species naming experience, we fully expect this series of frog naming auctions to be very successful and encourage everyone to visit the site and aid this worthy cause.”
In order to make a bid or learn more about Amphibian Ark and the new walking frog species, please visit https://auction01.charitybuzz.com/secure/viewItemDetail.do?auction_item_id=77302
Amphibian Ark is a partnership between the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, and IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. It was formed to develop, promote, and guide short term captive management of threatened amphibians, making possible the long-term survival of species for which adequate protection in the wild is not currently possible. For additional information about Amphibian Ark please visit www.amphibianark.org.
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