For the past few decades, Chytrid has had a profound effect on amphibian populations worldwide. In Panama, species within the Atelopus genus have been particularly effected. Thankfully though, new strategies are being developed to mitigate disease.
This week I am joined by Brian Gratwicke of the Smithsonian National Zoo and the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project . Brian is also the Co-Chair of the IUCN amphibian disease specialist group. We discuss some of the strategies being developed to combat disease in fragile wild Atelopus populations, captive breeding and husbandry protocols used to maintain assurance colonies, and the significant role that skin bacteria plays as a defense against disease.
For more information visit: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/about/staff/brian-gratwicke
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