HIGH SPECIES DIVERSITY IN INDO-BHUTAN MANAS- INDIA

The preliminary result of first ever transboundary survey of reptiles and amphibians in world’s single largest protected area, Indo-Bhutan Manas landscape indicates existence of 55 species of herpeto fauna, 20 amphibian and 35 reptiles. The survey was carried out from June 16 to 24, 2014 which mainly consists species like green tree frog, bubble nest frog, twin spotted tree frog, blue fan-throated lizard, water monitor lizard, king cobra and pope’s pit viper.

July 10

http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2014/07/10/survey-discovers-rich-diversity-of-reptiles-amphibians-in-indo-bhutan-boundary-areas/

Reptile and Amphibian surveys along the Rideau River (Ottawa, Canada)

This past school year, I volunteered for a local organization called Sustainable Living Ottawa East, where I organized SIX reptile and amphibian surveys along the Rideau River. What’s a reptile and amphibian survey you ask?! It’s when you go out and search for reptile and amphibian species in a certain area (like the Rideau River), and write down what you see/hear. The data collected is sent to other organizations who use it to better understand the species and help protect them!

On Saturday, May 14, I attended two of these surveys (one in the morning and one at night), along with several community members AND five reptile and amphibian experts who helped us find and identity species. In total, we found 95 individuals including Bullfrogs, Green Frogs, American Toads, Leopard Frogs and even a baby snapping turtle (awwww)! 

If you and your family would like to be part of this awesome project, we still have two surveys left! They will take place on Saturday, June 18, from 9am to noon and from 9pm to 10pm. Visit www.sustainablelivingottawaeast.ca and download a volunteer package to find out more about our last surveys of the season! Hope to see you there J

Jessica Pelow

SPRING AT MACOUN MARSH (OTTAWA, CANADA)

A beautiful Goldfinch male

Mother Mallard sitting on her eggs

Turtles looking for sun

Green frog male

Curious red squirrel

Female red-winged blackbird

Scientists scramble to save dying amphibians

Treefrog image by Michael Leveille

In forests, ponds, swamps, and other ecosystems around the world, amphibians are dying at rates never before observed. The reasons are many: habitat destruction, pollution from pesticides, climate change, invasive species, and the emergence of a deadly and infectious fungal disease.  To read more see Rhett Butler's article at

http://news.mongabay.com/2011/0428-amphibian_rescue.html

SAVE THE FROGS DAY IS COMING UP!

To learn more see: http://www.savethefrogs.com/day/index.html