Former volunteer raises funds for Mountain Chicken Project

Luke Harding receives a plaque for his work on the Mountain Chicken Project
Luke Harding receives a plaque for his work on the Mountain Chicken Project

In an effort to raise funds for the Dominican Mountain Chicken Project, UK-based Luke Harding, who was once a volunteer on the project in 2014 will be running the 2016 London Marathon.

Harding looks to raise as much as 10,000 Pounds which will go towards conserving the frogs and continued effort in field research to better understand Chytrid fungus and the population of surviving frogs on the island.

In an interview Harding said, “I will be running the London Marathon in 2016 to help raise funds for the Mountain Chicken Project. The funds raised will go directly to the project and help us to conserve this amazing amphibian. My time on the project was a remarkable one and it is my aim to continue supporting this important project”.

The London Marathon is very popular for being the longest run in England of 26 miles and brings over 6,000 participants from all over the world.

Dominica was once the stronghold of one of the giants amongst frogs: the Mountain Chicken (Leptodactylus fallax), also known as the Crapaud locally, which can now only be found on Dominica and Montserrat.

The species is threatened by a combination of habitat loss, introduced predators and over-exploitation for food.

In December 2002, the presence of deadly virus Chytridiomycosis decimated the population by some 80 percent. Today, the remaining wild population in Dominica has been estimated to be no more than a few hundred individuals, making the Crapaud one of the most critically endangered species in the world.

Persons wishing to contribute can visit the webpage by clicking below: http://www.gofundme.com/uyk9h2tg

DNO had written a story about the Mountain Chicken Project. CLICK HERE TO READ

 

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10 Comments

  1. Crapaud Man
    June 6, 2015

    It is great that Mr Harding is running the marathon for the Crapaud! We need all the help we can get to save the frog! We should not be concerned at interfering – He is only raising money – not telling what to do.

    I think it shows how much the people in other countries care about our frogs and want to help. Also I see other article of DNO about Machel Sulton from Mahaut working on the Crapaud and doing courses to help him learn how to save the frog (http://goo.gl/sDHYPI). So there are people from all countries helping out!

    Long live Crapaud!

  2. b
    May 26, 2015

    i thank you luke harding for your initiative……but i ask the question cant we raise funds also why,isnt some group from here jumping on the harding train to help …we’re so self centered here

  3. sailsbury farmer
    May 21, 2015

    Is there any area in Dominica we are doing any thing for our selves, there is always a white boy or girl helping us , where are the people we send to college begging for jobs some where in the world waiting for a pension. They teach you which God to pray for , you wait on government to save you , you wait on the chinese to give snd build every thing for you. Why do you go to college. Red or blue keeps you in slavery , the only thing you must fo fast is think. No one cannot save you but you

    • Observer
      May 21, 2015

      Before reading your comment, my thoughts were quite similar- while I appreciate the help from foreigners, it appears that when it comes to some critically significant matters, a lot of foreigners seem to care more, that our own people.

    • out of south city
      May 21, 2015

      Salisbury farmer, I concur. It seems like we are still enslaved. There is always a European interfering in our business. When are we going to take charge of our own affairs? These Europeans believe that without them we can’t survive because we are always looking up to them. We need to do for ourselves and be independent. The shackles of slavery must be broken over our lives so that we can be free.

    • Francisco Telemaque
      May 21, 2015

      Do not attack the white girl, or boy as you say, because most of them are very sincere in what they do.

      All white people are not the same many of them do not see the color of one skin, if that guy was not sincere in his offer to help you would not see his face on DNO.

      I do agree though that Dominicans should do more to help themselves. However, it seems as if we lack the will to produce in Dominica, or there is some curse in Dominica which prevents us from using our skills to do in the country. On the other hand when we return with our skills, and utilize it: Our very own people unleash their jealousy against us and do everything in their power to see us fail.

      The government is not exempt. An example is Ron Abraham, friend of mine, built Marpin Television, Dominicans did not rest until they stole Marpin from him the only returning educated who survive are those who decides to become political puppets of the government!

    • Hawke
      May 22, 2015

      You are a racist, stupid and ignorant idiot!

      Here we have a guy from the UK who ONLY wants to help this beautiful country, and conserve something very special, and you call him the ‘white’ boy.

      Get a life Jerko!

  4. Cyrique
    May 21, 2015

    Luke thank you for the interest that you’ve taken in this wonderful project in Dominica. I’m delighted that you’ll be running in the 2016 London Marathon. Please keep us posted on your sponsorship campaign. Dominicans in London would love to support you. Well done !!!

    • Hawke
      May 22, 2015

      Nice comment Cyrique!

      Thank God there are Dominicans like you who are kind, smart and forward-thinking, and who care about this country called Dominica!

      As compared to that racist and stupid Salisbury farmer, whose ‘pea’ brain (if he even has a brain…his stupid skull is PROBABLY EMPTY!) is stuck in the past! What an idiot!

      • out of south city
        May 22, 2015

        Other races never forget their past. It is usually black people who are quick to forget and forgive their past and want to be accepted in the white man’s world. So we must all forget what happened to us as a race of people and just embrace what is thrown at us? That is why we also look up to the sky for jesus to return and rapture us to a place paved with gold. While the European is reaping the gold from Africa we are looking for gold in the sky. How much more naive can we get from that Cinderella story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
        Every black person needs to wake up and know what time it is instead of just accepting everything without questioning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        PEACE

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