Critical equipment for Panama’s Endangered Golden Frog’s survival in captivity was stolen from Hotel Campestre in El Valle de Anton.

The survival of Panama’s golden frog, an iconic yet critically endangered species, is under severe threat. This species is being kept alive by a few dedicated biologists. Following the theft of essential equipment over the weekend, many tadpoles are vulnerable, with several already perished, further endangering the species, which is believed to no longer survive in the wild.

The theft, which involved vital electrical cables from Hotel Campestre, has significantly disrupted the dedicated efforts of biologists Heidi Ross and Edgardo Griffith. The loss of ultraviolet lights and other specialized tools has severely impacted their breeding program aimed at preserving this irreplaceable species.

The conservation community is calling for immediate support to replace the stolen equipment and safeguard the future of Panama’s golden frogs. Public support is crucial, and all individuals who care about wildlife conservation are encouraged to contribute in any way they can. Sharing this information is also helpful.

For those who wish to make a financial contribution, a GoFundMe page has been established to facilitate donations. Direct donations can also be made to the account below:

Name: El Valley Amphibian Conservation Center Foundation

This incident highlights the pressing challenges faced by conservationists in protecting species that are already on the brink of extinction. We urge the public and relevant authorities to stand with us in this critical fight to save Panama’s golden frogs.

Panama’s Golden Frog 

The golden frog is a national symbol for Panama. The Panamanian golden frog, once found only in the mountain ranges of west-central Panama, can no longer be found in the wild and is in danger of extinction.The main cause of the tiny toad’s disappearance, chytrid fungus, is an amphibian disease that affects the skin of frogs.

Conservationists and scientists around the world have been moving unaffected amphibians to conservation facilities called “amphibian arks” in an effort to keep endangered populations alive. Arks are critical to the survival of frogs and other amphibians susceptible to the fungus.  

When the fungus arrived in El Valle in 2006, conservationists began collecting healthy frogs and moving them to the only facility they had, a room in the Campestre hotel. 

The hotel became the home to an amphibian conservation & repopulation center in Panama. Their main goal is to maintain an environment where amphibians in danger can reproduce and thrive while scientists search for a cure.

By creating conditions similar to the wild scientist are able to test out their theories in captive breeding facilities. That is why the equipment used to maintain these habitats is so important to their survival in captivity.