Amphibian species constitute a fundamental part of the world ecosystem, since due to their particular life cycle they constitute a very important indicator of environmental health. For more than 30 years there has been a decrease in amphibian populations, accompanied also by a reduction in their geographic distributions. Zoological institutions are seen as important players in global amphibian conservation as they usually hold great potential due to the vast flow of visitors they receive and the income they manage. Their faunal collections are considered important because they can act as managers of "metapopulations" under human care, which contributes to the maintenance of genetic diversity.
In this sense, through this Program the following is sought:
Contribute to the conservation of diverse species of amphibians whose geographical distribution includes different regions of the Argentine territory.
Work together with institutions that have experience in the cooperative management of Amphibian species, seeking to prepare and formalize action plans for them, according to the guidelines of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Continue developing the Regional Breeding Center for Amphibians in Ecoparque.
Contribute to the conservation of amphibian species with some degree of threat that are framed in this program, collaborating with potential reintroduction processes in their respective natural distribution areas, and consequently with the establishment of viable populations of individuals of the species referred to in the country.
In order to develop experience and acquire training in the management of threatened amphibians by Ecoparque´s staff, it was decided to work with a native species that is not under any degree of conservation threat, the Montevideo Treefrog (Boana pulchella). In this sense, work is being done on the maintenance of this species on the institution's property, in order to develop experience in management and reproduction of amphibians. The individuals of Montevideo Treefrog that are under human care, gave birth to more than three thousand (3,000) offspring that were released at different stages of their development.
Soon, 55 individuals of Valcheta Frog (Pleurodema somuncurense) will be translocated to Ecoparque for breeding purposes, in order to contribute to the conservation of this endemic species.
The Program has also participated in the reassessment of the conservation needs of three threatened species both nationally and internationally: the Red-spotted Argentina Frog (Argenteohyla siemersi), Valcheta Frog (Pleurodema somuncurense) and Pehuenche Spiny-chest Frog (Alsodes pehuenche).
In addition, Ecoparque coordinated the Conservation Needs Assessment Workshop for amphibians in Argentina, where the IUCN met together with scientists and organizations from the country related to the conservation of these species, in the framework in which fifty-four (54) native species were evaluated.