The Caribbean is one of the world’s most threatened biodiversity hotspots. This idyllic collection of islands is home to an immense diversity of exceedingly rich biological and cultural forms. Likewise, the Andes, from Venezuela to Argentina, is another threatened biodiversity hotspot. Amphibians are especially diverse in these regions; between the Caribbean and the Andes, there are over 1500 endemic species, or one fourth of the worldwide population. Unfortunately, this mega diversity is threatened from all angles. Amphibians are a key indicator species. A decline in their populations signals a greater threat to the overall health of the ecosystem. Conversion of forests to agriculture, clear cutting for logging and charcoal production are among the biggest threats affecting all wildlife in these regions, especially amphibians. Another major threat to amphibians is the chytrid fungus. The fungus is the cause of the disease known as chytridiomicosis, which only affects amphibians and has already eliminated entire amphibian communities. The fungus is blamed for the recent extinction of more than 200 species of amphibians worldwide.

Overall, there are more than 300 amphibian species in the Caribbean and the Andes at immediate risk of extinction. There are also a number of local, regional and international institutions interested in saving these endangered creatures that are trying to actively find ways to revert and mitigate the causes of amphibian decline, mainly habitat destruction and the threat of the chytrid fungus.

We carry our educational message to those that hold the greatest power to effect the changes needed in order to preserve the habitat where our endangered amphibians are found. We work closely with the children living in rural communities, often times within the protected areas were many endangered amphibians are found. Here a group of Shuar children learn about endangered amphibians in their native Cordillera del Condor National Park in Ecuador.