Are frogs going extinct? A disease caused by a noxious fungus is decimating amphibian populations in the Northwest and around the world, and scientists are growing increasingly alarmed, as frog, toad, newt and salamander populations continue to drop.

Photo courtesy of Oregon Zoo

The blue dart frog.

"Frogs are in severe decline in the Northwest and all over the world," said Oregon Zoo Director Tony Vecchio. "As many as 165 amphibian species may be extinct. Habitat destruction is a serious threat, but the most immediate cause is this parasitic fungus."

Great numbers of frogs and other amphibians have been succumbing to chytridiomycosis, an infectious disease caused by the chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), which has quickly spread from Africa to other parts of the world.

To bring attention to these imperiled species, the Northwest Zoo and Aquarium Alliance is promoting the Year of the Frog. The yearlong effort, starting on leap day, Feb. 29, aims to engage the public in conservation efforts and heighten awareness of the worldwide amphibian crisis.

The Oregon Zoo, a founding member of the alliance, will launch a recovery program for Oregon spotted frogs in March.

"Zoos and aquariums play a significant role in the recovery of these species," Vecchio said. "Without an immediate intervention, one-third to one-half of the world's 6,000 amphibian species is in danger of becoming extinct in our lifetime."

As a prelude to its conservation efforts, the zoo will host a lecture on the Oregon spotted frog Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m., as part of the 2008 Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series. Dr. Marc P. Hayes, research scientist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, will discuss "Climate Change, Disease, Exotics and Humans: The Unique Case of the Oregon Spotted Frog."

On April 7, the zoo will host a daylong amphibian conservation workshop, highlighting issues such as climate change, disease, pollutants and invasive species. The workshop, co-hosted by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, aims to provide a forum for biologists, land managers, watershed councils, conservation groups and private landowners to discuss strategies and opportunities for amphibian conservation.

The deadline for registration is March 21.

Other Northwest zoos and aquariums participating in 2008's Year of the Frog include Zoo Boise, Northwest Trek, the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, the Seattle Aquarium, the Vancouver (B.C.) Aquarium, the Woodland Park Zoo, and Wildlife Safari. More than 70 zoos and aquariums nationwide will also participate.