Amphibian Programme2024-03-11T06:52:30+00:00

The Amphibian Programme

Image © Ben Tapley

Reversing the loss of the most threatened group of vertebrates

a white frog infront of a green circle

Earth is home to more than 8,000 species of amphibians – frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and worm-like caecilians. These fascinating animals exhibit a remarkable diversity of colours, forms and appearances and have inspired human cultures around the world for millennia. More recently, their skin secretions have been identified as offering potential hope in the battle against diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s and many more. Unfortunately, amphibians are by far the most threatened group of vertebrates. Around 40% are at risk of extinction, a far greater proportion than mammals (25 %) or birds (14 %).

Our Programme

Amphibians are threatened primarily by habitat loss and disease. Those most at risk are found in the tropics where there is often a great need for the development of more expertise in practical amphibian conservation and research. The response of conservation organisations and donors to the amphibian crisis has been nowhere close to what is needed. To address this insufficient response, Synchronicity Earth has developed its Amphibian Programme with three key goals:

Hourglass frog © Robin Moore

Protecting Species

Fund and support increased amphibian conservation where most needed.

Field sampling © Molly Bletz

Advancing Knowledge

Improve the knowledge base to guide amphibian conservation.

Glass frog eggs © Robin Moore

Building Capacity

Build capacity and support  development of amphibian conservation organisations.

* Images (L to R): Robin Moore; Molly Bletz; Robin Moore

“Amphibians do not top many conservation funding priority lists, and amphibians still sadly suffer from a PR issue compared to the outpouring of love for warm-blooded creatures.”

Helen Meredith, Executive Director of the ASA

Image © Shutterstock/Jan Stria

Partner Profile: Amphibian Survival Alliance (ASA)

The Amphibian Survival Alliance (ASA) officially launched in 2011, and has since built a committed global alliance of Partners, dedicated to developing a better world for amphibians through coordinated conservation action. ASA promotes and coordinates the implementation of conservation actions for amphibians through an active, growing, engaged, committed, and collaborative partnership around the world. The great need for this endeavour is reflected in the rate of loss of amphibian populations globally, and we face a challenging future as we strive to reverse these trajectories.

three people working in the dark with head lights on

In the field © Molly Bletz

Image © Molly Bletz

Helen Meredith, Executive Director of the ASA, remains optimistic that a better future for amphibians is possible:

“We envisage a future where amphibian conservation is fully collaborative and integrated into global conservation priorities — a future where amphibians are valued for their many contributions to this world, as well as their astonishing beauty and variety.”

Our Amphibian Partners

“Finding effective remedies to the global amphibian extinction crisis demands cooperative, focused, and continuous attention from a wide variety of organisations and individuals.”

Amphibian Survival Alliance

Image © Shutterstock/Hetkala

Spotlight on Species: Fringed-limbed Treefrog

There are 10 species of Fringe-limbed Treefrog (genus Ecnomiohyla) in Central and South America, six of which are either Critically Endangered or Endangered. The late Dr George Rabb, in whose honour our Amphibian Fund was created, had a treefrog named after him and his wife: Rabbs’ Fringe-limbed Treefrog (Ecnomiohyla rabborum).

Sadly, this treefrog is now most likely extinct. The last known individual, known as ‘Toughie’, died in September 2016. However,one species, Ecnomiohyla phantasmagoria, a large treefrog with distinctive webbed feet, has recently been rediscoveredin Ecuador in Tesoro Escondido where our partner, Jocotoco, works. This is the first record of this close relative to Rabbs’ Fringe-limbed Treefrog, for many years.

Our Amphibian Fund
rabbs fringe limbed treefrog on moss

Rabb’s Fringe-limbed treefrog © Brian Gratwicke

Image © Brian Gratwicke

A large number of amphibian species are on the verge of extinction and in urgent need of attention. There are multiple and imminent threats, but the good news is that the right conservation action can reverse these declining trends. If the places of highest importance for amphibians are conserved, this will also secure habitats for many other threatened species of animals and plants.

Amphibian News

Hope for amphibians: the comeback stories

Hope for amphibians: the comeback stories

6 minutes read

As many as 222 amphibian species could already have gone extinct, and 2,873 are in danger of extinction, says the second (...)

Amphibian extinctions: forgotten today, gone tomorrow

Amphibian extinctions: forgotten today, gone tomorrow

6 minutes read

As many as 222 amphibian species could already have gone extinct, and 2,873 are in danger of extinction, says the second (...)

The overlooked extinction crisis: amphibians

The overlooked extinction crisis: amphibians

7 minutes read

As many as 222 amphibian species could already have gone extinct, and 2,873 are in danger of extinction, says the second (...)

Email exclusive: The wildlife illustrator shortlist

Email exclusive: The wildlife illustrator shortlist

2 minutes read

In July 2023, we put out a call for an illustrator to help bring a handful of extinct species to life. We received a hug (...)

Email exclusive: Follow the Atlantic Forest expedition

Email exclusive: Follow the Atlantic Forest expedition

3 minutes read

Our partner Instituto Curicaca have launched an expedition across the Atlantic Forest in the far south of Brazil, with o (...)

Email exclusive: From the field: gallery of photos fresh from our conservation partners

Email exclusive: From the field: gallery of photos fresh from our conservation partners

4 minutes read

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes peek at the images in our Programmes Team inbox with stories fresh from our partners about con (...)

In it for the long haul: Saving the giant squeaker frog

In it for the long haul: Saving the giant squeaker frog

7 minutes read

Wildlife corridors through oil palm plantations. Local communities saving the world’s rarest crocodile from extinction (...)

Amphibians and culture III: restoring positive narratives in India and South Africa

Amphibians and culture III: restoring positive narratives in India and South Africa

8 minutes read

Amphibians occupy a complex place in cultures around the world. Throughout history, these vibrant, shape-shifting creatu (...)

Amphibians and culture II: mutual flourishing in Central and South America

Amphibians and culture II: mutual flourishing in Central and South America

8 minutes read

Amphibians occupy a complex place in cultures around the world. Throughout history, these vibrant, shape-shifting creatu (...)

Amphibians and culture I: European superstition and ambivalence

Amphibians and culture I: European superstition and ambivalence

7 minutes read

Amphibians occupy a complex place in cultures around the world. Throughout history, these vibrant, shape-shifting creatu (...)

Email exclusive: Keep them in the running

Email exclusive: Keep them in the running

5 minutes read

Staff member Michael Edmondstone will be running the London Marathon dressed as an overlooked and underfunded species. B (...)

Champions of the Endangered

Champions of the Endangered

6 minutes read

On June 2022, Synchronicity Earth and the Ellen Fund invited friends, partners, and beyond to share stories which celebr (...)

Not forgotten any longer: the Gigantes forest frog

Not forgotten any longer: the Gigantes forest frog

6 minutes read

Pria Ghosh introduces one of our Amphibian Programme partners: Project Palaka, the first amphibian conservation programm (...)

If you are interested in supporting our Amphibian Programme, please get in touch.

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