Keep Them Safe - Status Update 2019
One year ago, when the Vienna Zoo transferred 56 specimens of the critically endangered Lake Pátzcucaro Salamander, we started with the actual implementation of the conservational breeding program Citizen Conservation. The animals were allocated to terrarium owners and zoos, in consistence with the CC philosophy that private and professional keepers should work hand in hand against species extinction.
First of their kind
Until today, five species are supervised by CC. They stand for different kinds of amphibian groups, habitats and situations of endangerment. At the reference date of November 1st 2019, 136 amphibians are in care of participating zoos, school vivaria and private terrarium owners.
November 2019 Inventory
Latin name | Engl. name | number of animals (m/f/u) | number of keepers | deaths 11/18 – 10/19 (m/f/u) | new offspring 11/18 – 10/19 (m/f/u) | external arrivals 11/18 – 10/19 (m/f/u) | aim (animals, keepers) | status* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Agalychnis lemur | Lemur Leaf Frog | 0/0/10 | 1 | 0/0/0 | 0/0/0 | 0/0/10 | 225, 40 | 3,47%
|
Ambystoma dumerilii | Lake Pátzcuaro Salamander | 8/5/34 | 6 | 1/0/11 | 0/0/0 | 9/5/45 | 225, 40 | 17,94% |
Ingerophrynus galeatus | Bony-headed Toad | 0/0/17 | 3 | 0/0/1 | 0/0/0 | 0/0/18 | 225, 40 | 7,08% |
Minyobates steyermarki | Demonic Poison Frog | 0/0/8 | 1 | 0/0/0 | 0/0/0 | 0/0/8 | 110, 20 | 6,14% |
Salamandra sal. almanzoris | Almanzor Fire Salamander | 0/0/36 | 9 | 0/0/1 | 0/0/0 | 0/0/37 | 185, 30 | 24,75% |
*status = goal attainment rate: mean of percental goal attainment number of animals + number of keepers, meaning when we attained 180 of 200 specimen and 10 of 20 keepers = (90%+50%) = 70% goal attainment rate
More founding specimens welcome
Of all five projects more founding specimens are to be included into the program. In case of the Almanzor Fire Salamander and the Bony-Headed Toad, additional animals from Uwe Seidel and the Cologne Zoo will be included. As for the Demonic Poison Frog and the Lemur Leaf Frog, we are looking for more supplying sources in order to expand the genetic base of the CC population.
More species are waiting
A few months ago, the Cologne Zoo was first to succeed in breeding the Vietnamese Crocodile Newt Tylototriton vietnamensis. Thomas Ziegler, curator in charge, transferred some of the progeny back to the breeding station Me Linh in Vietnam. Another 12 specimen will be transferred to Citizen Conservation, in order to build a European reserve population. More species are planned to be added in 2020 – some only for real specialists, but others also for conscientious beginners and school zoos.
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