PRESS ROOM

ROYAL OAK, Mich., 

The Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) is celebrating World Frog Day on Tuesday, March 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the award-winning National Amphibian Conservation Center at the Detroit Zoo.  The event includes hands-on activities, games and opportunities for visitors to learn about these charismatic creatures and the DZS’s efforts to preserve and restore their populations in the wild.

“Frogs are not only incredibly interesting animals, but they play a vital role in the health and sustainability of ecosystems around the world,” said Dr. Ruth Marcec, director of the amphibian center for the DZS.  “This event not only gives us a chance to celebrate them but also to share with visitors how we can work together to protect them in the wild.”

Zookeeper talks will be held at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.  Fun learning activities will allow guests to identify the various calls of Michigan frogs, compare the largest and smallest of frog species and participate in a “leap frog” math game.  Guests can also learn about the DZS’s conservation efforts for the critically endangered Panamanian golden frog.

The DZS has been working for 18 years with other zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums on a cooperative breeding program – called a Species Survival Plan (SSP) – for the Panamanian golden frog.  SSPs aim to reproduce, genetically manage and possibly reintroduce endangered animals into the wild with the assistance of other wildlife management organizations.  DZS staff have also spent time in Panama working with partner organizations to identify wild spaces to safely release captive-bred tadpoles or juvenile frogs as well as educate the public about this species and its wild habitat.

The National Amphibian Conservation Center houses a spectacular diversity of frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and caecilians is the only major facility dedicated entirely to conserving and exhibiting amphibians.  When it opened in 2000, The Wall Street Journal called it “Disneyland for toads”.