If you haven’t noticed, this year is going to be a little different.  There is an extra day in February making this year a Leap year.  According to timeanddate.com, Leap years are needed so that the calendar is in alignment with the earth’s motion around the sun.  In the Gregorian calendar, which is the calendar used by most modern countries, the following rules decide which years are leap years: Every year divisible by 4 is a leap year, but every year divisible by 100 is NOT a leap year unless the year is also divisible by 400, then it is still a leap year.  Very confusing if you ask me.

This year, the notion of the “leap” is taking on a whole new meaning.  By many environmental groups, conservation facilities and amphibian lovers around the world, this year represents the Year of the Frog.  How fitting then that it is a leap year, because as you know frogs leap.  If you visit yearofthefrog.org you can find out more information as to why there is a global amphibian crisis and this year organizations are highlighting their plight.  You can also sign up to be a “friend of frogs” and receive information through email about the global crisis.

Amphibian Ark is leading the way in this education campaign, doing its best to get the word out about this crisis.  By visiting amphibianark.org you can find out ways to donate, watch videos on amphibians and even find out how far reaching this crisis really is—not to mention meeting dates and a shop with neat books that are all amphibian themed.

The Leap day celebration for amphibians has reached Tampa.  That’s right, its here in our backyard. You can participate in this gala event by attending either the Florida Aquarium or Lowry Park Zoo this coming weekend.  If you visit their websites or call for more information you can find out how they will be highlighting the importance of frogs with neat events, games and educational presentations.  If you happen to be in the Orlando area, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be celebrating on February 29 with fun games and parades, but also highlighting the seriousness of the situation facing amphibians.

The one huge sponsor of this year’s awareness campaign is CLOROX.  Why bleach, you ask?  According to savethefrog.com, Frogs are treated with anti-fungal medicine and anything else that has contact with water during amphibian rescue is treated with a bleach solution, from boots and clothing to instruments and transport containers, to be sure researchers are not spreading the fungus to new, uncontaminated areas. When zoos and aquariums bring frogs into protective custody, the enclosures also must be treated with a bleach solution daily for the first few weeks to be sure they help control the spread of fungus.  The fungus outbreaks are causing a huge part of the amphibian species decline.  Unfortunately some frog species are no longer found in the wild, but only in captivity because they needed to be rescued from their habitat before the fungus took over.  And for those that weren’t so lucky, they fall into the thousand or so species that have since become extinct.

Do your part, be a friend to frogs and educate yourself on how this crisis not only influences the health of amphibians but also influences the health of humans.

 

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