Leapfrog into 2008 (From Wirral Globe)

Leapfrog into 2008

10:14am Wednesday 2nd January 2008

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CHESTER Zoo staff have 'jumped to it' to highlight the plight of frogs worldwide.

Zoos across the world united on New Year's Eve for a giant, simultaneous leapfrog.

"It is fantastic that so many zoos throughout Europe and indeed the world showed their support for amphibians."

Liz Child

2008 has been declared the Year of the Frog to raise awareness of a looming, mass extinction of amphibian species - the most significant since the dinosaur.

The leapfrog event marked the launch of the campaign.

One-third to one-half of all amphibian species are in danger of disappearing in our lifetime. Amphibian Ark is a campaign supported by zoos to rescue the most endangered 500 species that cannot be saved in the wild.

It is the most urgent component of a comprehensive effort to protect the future for amphibians, and is supported by the IUCN/Species Survival Commission Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, IUCN/SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, of which Chester Zoo's Director General Gordon McGregor Reid is President.

Year of the Frog will raise awareness of the problems facing amphibians and help with fundraising for the Amphibian Ark project.

Leapfrog events were held across the globe and Chester Zoo staff showed their support with a little jumping around.

Liz Child, Head of Visitor Services, co-ordinated Chester's event.

She said: "It is fantastic that so many zoos throughout Europe and indeed the world showed their support for amphibians.

"This was a fun way of bringing home some very serious messages about the future many amphibian species face and a great launch pad for Year of the Frog."

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