Panamaian Golden Frog Essay

The Panamanian Golden Frog (Atelopus zeteki)

The Panamanian Golden Frog is a small brightly-colored frog found in Panama. Its

numbers are rapidly decreasing and the species has been listed as critically

endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Characteristics:

The natural habitat of this species is thecrain forests located near freshwater

streams. The frogs are insectivores, their diet mostly consisting of various small

invertebrates of their habitat. The males measure about 1.5 to 2 inches and the

females about 2 to 3 inches. The males weigh around 0.1 to 0.4 ounces, the

females around 0.14 to 0.5 ounces. There is no conclusive answer to their

lifespan, but in captivity they live for around 5 years
It first

affected the western parts of Panama, now it seems to be spreading eastward,

putting the golden frogs at severe risk. The population of the species at El Copé

took a massive hit due to this disease over the course of just few months in late

2004 iucn. Apart from that, collection of the frogs for local zoos and hotels
Loss of habitat owing to large scale deforestation for agricultural

and other purposes is also causing problems. The golden frog is the natonal

animal of Panama. It is sometimes collected for tourism purposes and also for pet

trade. Though minor, these causes also threat the survival of the frog. Besides,

the general threats to animal which persist all over the world like use of pesticides

and fertilizers and pollutants are also applicable in this case.

Conservation:

Conservation of this endangered species is underway at various levels. The

species protected in Panama by national legislation decree No. 3 of January 30,

1967.3 The Panamanian Government is working with various zoos in North

America for conservation projects. Zoos across North America are attempting

captive breeding of the species. In the year 2003, San Diego Zoo received 20

golden frogs and since have had 500 hatches in captivity. But the zoo does not

release the frogs in their natural habitats, for fear of the disease still persists and

no cure has so far been found. Until any such cure is found captive breeding is the

only way for the survival of the species.4 The Amphibian