| Does something green and slimy appeal to you? Well, not to me either, but frogs seldom do harm to humans while representing an important food source for many aquatic, land and air creatures. The long-tongued amphibians also eat huge numbers of insects that helps keep a balance of nature's resources.
While frogs may not be on our minds much, the species could be more threatened than you or I realize. Folks at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens just rolled out a new "Save the Frogs! Amphibian Conservation Center." It's a move to thwart the eventual extinction of frogs and other amphibians.
According to the World Conservation Unions’ Global Amphibian Assessment, one-third of the amphibians worldwide are threatened and 165 species are extinct. Reasons cited include ever-increasing loss of habitat, pollution and a fast-spreading infectious fungus. Oftentimes people look at swampy, mucky, yucky bogs and figure it would be no big deal to get rid of them in favor of a parking lot or hot dog stand, only to actually be destroying a nurturing habitat for present and future frogs and other helpful animals. If you catch wind of such an area being considered for such a fate, make your voice heard to the proper authorities.
The Center just opened and the exhibit is worth a look-see. Go to www.jaxzoo.org for directions and more details about the zoo. |
