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Durrell is helping to save half of the species on a new list of reptiles and amphibians that are only surviving because of conservationists.
The wildlife trust is working with five of the top ten listed as being most reliant on zoos by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA).
Durrell is helping protect the Komodo dragon, mountain chicken frog, orange tailed skint, ploughshare tortoise and Round Island boa.
Head of Herpetology Matt Goetz said: “The recent Top Ten list is an excellent way of highlighting and promoting some of the conservation activities good zoos are carrying out.
“Here at Durrell we have pioneered the approach to link and support field conservation programmes with breeding projects in our herpetological department. Having developed and led four conservation projects included in the TopTen and collaborating in a fifth, gives testimony to our strategy; saving species from extinction is possible and needs to be taken seriously for the benefit of all of us. Of course, none of this would be possible without the help of the public and the many donations we receive.”
BIAZA’s Dr Andrew Marshall said: “Zoos are part of a global conservation community. Last year, BIAZA published a report on the top ten mammals most reliant on zoos, which highlighted the work being done by zoos to help safeguard their future. This year, we have focused on ten prevailing examples of reptiles and amphibians that zoos are working to save from extinction.
The list includes some fantastic species, many of which are facing a dramatic decline and are in a desperate situation in the wild.”
The list highlights the importance of organisations like Durrell not only for their captive breeding programmes but also for their work to fund and manage conservation projects in the field including research, education and support for local communities, as well as protection of crucial wildlife habitats.
The Axolotl, Golden mantella frog, Lemur leaf frog, Morelet’s leaf frog and the Sand lizard are also on BIAZA’s top ten list.
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