The Panamanian golden frog, endangered by a fungus

The animal is an ecological and cultural symbol for the country. There are currently less than 15 specimens living
in captivity.

Panamanian golden frog, a symbol in the country

Panamanian golden frog, a symbol in the country | EFE
The situation of the Panamanian golden frog, ecological and cultural symbol of the country, is critical and is a
challenge for scientists who seek to safeguard it from a deadly fungus that threatens to extinguish it.

Frog specimen on the ground

Researchers gathered this week in the Panamanian capital have reiterated that the Central American country
represents a hope for the fight against the fungus, since it is the only place in the world where it is known with
certainty where it is and how it moves.

The frog bull trade expands the fungus

Currently in Panama there are less than 15 golden frogs living in captivity, while the wild ones face a more critical
situation, scientists agreed in an interview.

According to the director of the Amphibian Conservation Center of the Panamanian zoo of El Níspero, Edgardo
Griffith, the golden frog (Atelpus zetequis) will be extinguished in a decade if the advance of the deadly chytrid
fungus (Chytridiomicetus dendrobctides) is not stopped.

That fungus attacks the skin of the tiny frogs, bright yellow and black spots, producing a disease known as
chytridiomycosis, and die approximately two weeks after being infected.

The fungus entered Panama in 1993 along the border with Costa Rica, and has continued moving from the west
to Panama City, where between 2010 and 2011 its presence was detected in the Soberanía National Park.

If you don't do "something soon, you simply won't find more golden frogs in the wild in Panama," Griffith warned.

The scientist has pointed out that the Conservation Center that he directs does everything possible to keep alive
the frogs that have been rescued to seek their reproduction, a task that becomes difficult when amphibians
present a serious clinical picture. "The situation of the golden frogs in captivity, in the case of Panama, is not very
good, since we have less than fifteen animals that have been (refugees) in the Center for about seven to eight
years," he said Griffithp