Brookfield Zoo now home to rare Panamanian Gold Frogs

The global attempt to save amphibians hops into the suburbs in this year of the frog.

Brookfield Zoo is now home to endangered Panamanian Gold Frogs, guest lecturers will be spreading the message, and volunteers will go out on cold evenings next spring to count the mating calls of local frogs.

As many as half of the known 6,000 species of amphibians in the world are endangered, according to Amphibian Ark, a group set up by conservation organizations, including the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

This is critical to people for purely selfish reasons. For example, in Australia scientists say a substance from the skin of the Red Eye Tree Frog prevents the transmission of the HIV virus that causes AIDS, said Kevin Zippel, who will be representing the Amphibian Ark at local lectures.

Besides the general destruction of habitat around the world, a new fungus discovered about a decade ago kills amphibians, particularly in Central America.

What frogs and toads live in the suburbs?

Eleven types of frogs and two types of toads: Bullfrog, Wood Frog, Chorus Frog, Spring Peeper, Northern Leopard Frog, Plains Leopard Frog, Pickerel Frog, Eastern Gray Tree Frog, Cope's Gray Tree Frog, Cricket Frog, Green Frog, and American Toad and Fowler's Toad.

Are they endangered?

The Audubon Society has not seen any major change in populations since it started surveying in 2001, said Karen Glennemeier, science director for the Chicago Region. However, the Cricket Frog seems to have all but disappeared from the northern third of the state in the last few decades, possibly because of very cold, dry winters.

Fowler's Toads are found only in sandy areas, and Pickerel Frogs in fens, wetlands where water percolates through limestone. Plains Leopard Frogs generally stay in the southern part of our region.

What's the difference between toads and frogs?

Not much, and any difference you come up with probably has exceptions. It turns out toads are really a type of frog. Both are amphibians, which means they spend time in water and on land. Generally most toads live on land and frogs in the water, said Tim Snyder, whose area of responsibility at Brookfield Zoo includes amphibians.

Why should I care about these little critters?

Well, there's the "canary in the coal mine" theory, said Susie Schreiber, chairman of the Waukegan Harbor Citizens Advisory Group. That means degradation of the environment that hurts them now could harm us or our children in the future. They also are an important part of the food chain, said Glennemeier. And one thing they munch on is mosquitoes.

Do we have the dread chytrid fungus?

Apparently not, but at least one study is under way to be sure. The main problems here are shrinking frog and toad habitat and anything that pollutes waterways, including pesticides.

Explain frog surveys

A small team goes to the same spot after dark once late in each month: March, April and May. They probably don't ever see a frog, but write down how many times they hear a male mating call. "Hearing and not seeing is mysterious and special," said Glennemeier. "You're out there and in on a secret." Both the Audubon Society and the Waukegan Harbor group train volunteer surveyors.

Talking amphibian

They'll be the featured subject of upcoming lectures:

• Kevin Zippel, program director of the Amphibian Ark, will talk at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 27, at the Ryerson Woods Welcome Center, 21950 Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods. The free program is sponsored by the Lake County Audubon Society and the Lake/Cook Chapter of Illinois Audubon Society. His group says that breeding in zoos and aquariums is the only way to save some species. Visit lakecountyaudubon.org or lakecookaudubon.org.

• Zippel also will speak at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Brookfield Zoo's Discovery Center. The cost is $16, $13 for zoo members, and a wine and cheese reception is included. For information or reservations, visit czs.org/czs/specialevents or call (708)688-8971.

• Dante Fenolio, amphibian conservation scientist at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, will talk about amphibians and other animals in "Things that Go Bump in the Night" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. The cost is $16, $13 for zoo members, and a wine and cheese reception is included. For information or reservations, visit czs.org/czs/specialevents or call (708) 688-8971.

• For information about training for the spring frog survey, visit habitatproject.org.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Related links</h2> <ul class="moreWeb"> <li><a href="http://www.czs.org/czs/Conservation-Leadership/Protecting-the-Natural-World/Species-Conservation/Amphibian-Crisis">Brookfield Zoo's Year of the Frog </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>