From the Inbox: Help save some frogs

Dear Friend, Several months ago, scientists in Australia made a startling and exciting discovery: A species of amphibian thought to be extinct was, in fact, alive and well in the wilderness near Sydney. It was the first sighting of the yellow-spotted bell frog ( Litoria castanea, in 30 years – the sort of find that underscores just how amazing and resilient nature can be. Unfortunately, other creatures might not be so lucky. One-third of about 6,000 amphibian species globally are at risk of extinction. Almost half are in decline. Many have not been seen in the wild in decades. These species are too important to be lost to extinction. If they still exist, like the yellow-spotted bell frog, they need to be found — and protected. So, teams of scientists convened by Conservation International, are going to look for them. You can join them by clicking here. Over the next few months, teams of scientists will span the globe to look for amphibian species — some of which haven’t been seen in decades. In doing so, they offer hope that we might find creatures believed to have been lost forever. Call it the Search for the Lost Frogs. Why amphibians matter Amphibians are important in nature. They play a key role in helping both terrestrial and marine ecosystems get the nutrients they need, and they serve as bellwethers of ecosystem health. Amphibians are also critical for human well-being. They control agricultural pests. They regulate disease-carrying species such as mosquitoes. And they may have chemicals in their bodies that could help fight human diseases – from HIV to skin cancer. Conservation efforts are therefore critical. But it is difficult to protect a species if scientists don’t know whether it exists. That’s why we’re undertaking the Search for the Lost Frogs. If we don’t act quickly, we risk losing countless benefits that amphibians can provide to humans. CI’s work CI is performing work like this around the globe. We care about nature, and we care about preserving the benefits that humans receive from its bounty – now, 10 years from now, and 1,000 years from now. Over the next 12 weeks, we’ll keep you updated as scientists head into the field. You’ll get a firsthand look at this unique project, learn about some amazing amphibians, and discover just how important one species can be to humans around the world. We hope you enjoy the journey.  Thank you for supporting CI. Sincerely, Robin Moore Amphibian Conservation Officer Photo: (Hyperolius marmoratus) Reed frog, Class: Amphibia (frogs, salamanders), Order: Anura (Frogs and toads), Family: Hyperolidae, Botswana . © Piotr Naskrecki How to follow the entire search So that we do not overwhelm our supporters with communications, Search for the Lost Frogs will only be sent to those who choose to follow the search. To join this once-in-a-lifetime experience click the button below. What will we send you if you follow the search? Weekly updates on over 15 international teams searching for frogs thought to be lost forever. Exciting frog facts and fun activities like a Q&A with Dr. Robin Moore. A final wrap-up report with the results from the frog teams and the impact this work has had.