29 February 2008

Time to stop our frogs from croaking

The Green Party is hopping about on Leap Day with some serious fun with a serious message all about frogs.

"Today is a very special Leap Day, as this time it falls in the International Year of the Frog," Conservation Spokesperson Metiria Turei says.

"And while we are jumping for joy in celebration of this day, we also should be hopping mad about what is happening to our own four species of beautiful native frogs.

"All four species are under threat. One, Hamilton's Frog, is estimated to number only 300 individuals. While Archey's Frog has been named most evolutionary distinct and globally endangered amphibian. The other two, the Maud Island Frog and Hochstetter's Frog are also listed in the top 100 of the world's most endangered amphibians - the Maud Island Frog at 58 and Hochstetter's at 38.

"Of the three species of introduced frogs and two of these, both Bell frogs species, also make the top 100 list.

"Our frogs are being threatened by climate change and habitat destruction. Frogs are like the canaries in the mine when it comes to climate change - we cannot afford to ignore these warnings."

This afternoon Mrs Turei will be hopping, skipping and leap-frogging around this afternoon with six froggy companions to bring the frog conservation and climate change message to Wellingtonians.

"We want our frogs to be singing for joy - not croaking," Mrs Turei says.

ENDS

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