Forestry Division appeals for frog preservation

crapaudThe Forestry Division is appealing to residents to assist in the protection of Dominica’s frog population.

This, as the island joins the rest of the world in observing “Save the Frog Day” on Saturday.

“Only a small proportion of our public is aware that frogs are disappearing and amphibian conservation efforts will not be successful with an un-informed public,” the division said in a release on Thursday.

Of particular concern is the plight of Leptodactylus Fallax or Mountain Chicken, which is the national dish of Dominica. The population is infected with chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease caused by the Chytrid fungus.

Because of that frog has received legal protection since 2002.

Dominica is home to three other species of amphibians which, the Forestry Division said, are from the Leptodactylidae family of frogs. Eleutherodactylus amplinympha or Gounouj is in the transition zone between montane rainforest elfin woodland.

Eleutherodactylus johnstonei or Lesser Antillean whistling frog is a recent introduction to Dominica. Eleutherodactylus martinicensis or Tink frog is a regional endemic and is abundant in the rainforest but uncommon in dry coastal forest.

The Forestry, Wildlife and Parks Division made a presentation on Frog Conservation at the Massacre Primary School on Wednesday 24th April, 2013, ahead of the April 27th, 2013 observation.

“The frogs of Dominica need you,” the division said. “Help protect them today.”

Those who require further information, are asked to contact the Forestry, Wildlife & Parks Division at 266- 5856 or 266-5852, or email at [email protected]

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6 Comments

  1. April 26, 2013

    forestry is conservation and protection in words/mouth talk! i wonder if they really know what is happening to dominica environment?

    we don’t see forestry officer anymore! just saying!

  2. images
    April 25, 2013

    images of all three frogs would be great. I thought that by now every dominican would have known that the frogs are endangered. By the way, what is the official national dish?
    That question was asked once on a DBS radio kids program and ppl called in saying mountain chicken and were told that was wrong. So what is it? I would love to tell people that it is something that I actually know how to prepare.

  3. shakespere
    April 25, 2013

    its a good idea but we should also have a *save the dominican people day* :oops:

  4. April 25, 2013

    Seriously !!!!!!!!!!

  5. Bounty
    April 25, 2013

    If the Gounouj is the little dollar coin sized frog they come up through the plumbing system in houses in Goodwill. Unless you scare them they will just stay put and observe you even if you get close to them. They are soooh cute. I like it when they appear in my sink at nights.

    • AHA
      April 25, 2013

      but sometimes they are a lil bit scary when they show up when you least expect them. Plus sometimes i feel like i must scare them away or else days later, i may see them somewhere in the house dead.

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