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Ed Yeates ReportingA fungus is threatening to kill over a third of the world's six thousand amphibian species. The epidemic is so bad, zoos from around the world have formed partnerships, sending staff members to native areas to collect and treat sick animals. Utah's Hogle Zoo is among them.
If these beautifully marked frogs were in their native habitat and not in captivity at Hogle Zoo, they would be at high risk of getting wiped out. A fungus proliferating all over Asia, Australia and now Central America is killing amphibians.
Shane Provstgaard, Hogle Zoo: "It's just starting to dawn on them, the global proportions of this. Basically, it's a plague. It's wiping out amphibians all over the place."
Hogle Zoo sent Shane Provstgaard to Panama. He and his colleague worry since amphibians are considered a cornerstone species. If they become extinct, everything else - in theory - falls apart.
Shane Provstgaard: "So if they're out of the picture, your insects proliferate, your reptiles that feed on the mammals go extinct. The birds that feed on the reptiles and the amphibians go extinct - on the line it travels. Amphibians are basically your canary in a coalmine."
Shane has been back from Panama about eight weeks. He said it was sad watching some of the most gorgeous tropical streams in the world, wondering if you may be one of the last to hear 12 to 14 different species of frogs calling at night. Apparently that was more than just a feeling.
Just since Shane returned from Panama, his colleagues down there are telling him they can hear no frogs at night now, which may be an indication an entire species has been wiped out.
Why so much fungus? Scientists are trying to find out. Some theorize it might be global warming. Shane says weather patterns in Panama have changed, making conditions perfect now for fungus growth.
A second staff member from Hogle Zoo leaves for Panama tomorrow. The zoo is also sending medication, misting bottles and other supplies to help fight the epidemic.
