News release from the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo:
Zoo Invites Citizens to Gather Data on Frogs & Toads
(February 10, 2015) – Croak, croak! The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo invites local residents to participate in a national initiative to gather data on frog and toad populations.
The program, called FrogWatch USA, trains volunteers to recognize the calls of frogs and toads. The volunteers then visit local ponds, streams, and wetlands to document the species they hear. The information becomes part of a national database, where it is used to track trends in amphibian populations.
“If you want to participate in a real conservation project, you don’t have to travel to Africa or Asia,” says Zoo Volunteer Manager Kathy Terlizzi. “FrogWatch USA is a chance for you to get involved right in your own back yard.”
Frogs and toads are known as ‘indicator species,’ like the aquatic version of the canary in the coal mine. They are often the first to show the effects of pollution and habitat loss. Frog and toad numbers are in serious decline worldwide.
Participants may attend one of two training classes, which will be held at the zoo on Saturday, February 21 or Saturday, February 28 from 11 AM – 3 PM. There is no fee to attend and participants need attend only ONE of the classes. Participants should bring a sack lunch or snack. Families, adults, teens, and youth groups are all welcome.
To register for the training or get more information, contact the Zoo Volunteer Office at 260-427-6828 or volunteer@kidszoo.org.
FrogWatch USA is the flagship citizen science program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the accrediting organization of zoos nationwide. Participation in FrogWatch USA aligns with the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo’s goal to engage the public in conservation efforts.
About the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo
The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is northeast Indiana’s largest tourist attraction, hosting more than 500,000 guests annually. The zoo received the 2014 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, was voted Indiana’s #1 “Gotta-Do Summer Attraction,” and is consistently named one of the nation’s Top Ten Zoos for Kids by national media outlets.The zoo is a conservation leader, contributing more than $80,000 annually to local, regional, and international efforts to protect wild animals and habitats, and participating in cooperative management programs for 91 endangered species and taxa. The zoo was named Northeast Indiana’s Sustainable Business of the Year in 2014.
As a self-supporting facility, the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo receives no tax dollars for operations. The zoo’s operations are funded entirely by earned revenue and donations.
The zoo opens for the 2015 season on April 25, 2015. Hours are 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily through October 11, 2015. Admission is $14.00 for adults; $10.50 for seniors age 60+; and $9.00 for children ages 2-18. Babies age 1 and under and Zoo Society Members are admitted free.
Related Images:
