RedCircle VERIFY_TOKEN_e585fe37-5cc7-4b4e-92f4-db3914d52678 -- Rendered At Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:57:40 +0000 Amphibian Rescue https://redcircle.com/shows/amphibian-rescue en-US All rights reserved. The Amphibian Ark Podcast Amphibian Ark When amphibians began disappearing around the world, conservation had to change. This podcast tells the story of how scientists uncovered the global amphibian extinction crisis and how that realization led to the need and creation of Amphibian Ark back in 2006, a global initiative working to prevent species loss through ex situ conservation. Through conversations and stories from conservationists, researchers, and institutions around the world, this podcast explores how ex situ conservation, including rescue, managed care, and conservation breeding, has become a critical tool for giving frogs, salamanders, and caecilians a second chance. ___ Launched in celebration of 20 years of Amphibian Ark, this podcast is produced and hosted by María Braeuner, reviewed and fact-checked by the Amphibian Ark team of experts, and made possible by the generous support of our donors around the world. With original music by Pablo Bolaños | Biota-Specimens: https://biota-specimens.com Support our work at www.AmphibianArk.org/support-us/ e585fe37-5cc7-4b4e-92f4-db3914d52678 When amphibians began disappearing around the world, conservation had to change. 

The podcast begins by revisiting the discovery of the amphibian extinction crisis and the creation of Amphibian Ark in 2006. From there, we share real-world stories of species rescue, conservation breeding, and reintroduction efforts around the globe. 

Through conversations and stories from conservationists, researchers, and institutions around the world, this podcast explores how ex situ conservation, including rescue, managed care, and conservation breeding, has become a critical tool for giving frogs, salamanders, and caecilians a second chance.  

___  


Launched in celebration of 20 years of Amphibian Ark, this podcast is:

  • Produced and hosted by María Braeuner
  • With original music by Pablo Bolaños | Biota Specimens (https://biota-specimens.com)
  • Reviewed and fact-checked by the Amphibian Ark team of experts: Luis Carrillo, Devin Edmonds, Renata Ibelli Vaz, Jonathan Wilcken, Cybele Lisboa, Elizabeth Townsend, María José Chang, Beatriz Velásquez
  • Made possible by the generous support of our donors around the world.  



🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

🌍 Learn more: www.AmphibianArk.org

💚 Support Amphibian Ark’s work: www.AmphibianArk.org/support-us/

Together, we can continue rescuing amphibians in crisis.

]]> episodic no Amphibian Ark info@amphibianark.org no full E03: Rescuing Amphibians in Crisis with Dr. Bob Lacy & Jonathan Wilcken E03: Rescuing Amphibians in Crisis with Dr. Bob Lacy & Jonathan Wilcken 3 Amphibian Ark What is conservation breeding? E03 – What is conservation breeding?


In this episode, Bob helps us understand how conservation breeding works as a response to the amphibian extinction crisis, especially when chytrid fungus makes protecting wild populations impossible and “insurance populations" are needed to prevent species loss.

Drawing on Bob’s experience, the episode traces early work on the Puerto Rican toad (sapo concho), then goes on to unpack population management and conservation breeding.

Then, together with Amphibian Ark’s Executive Director, Jonathan Wilcken, we outline the way Amphibian Ark works today and how it is going from a reactive crisis-response organization to a more proactive organization that continues rescuing amphibians in crisis around the world.


Support Amphibian Ark: https://www.amphibianark.org/support-us/


About our guests:


Dr. Bob Lacy is a conservation scientist with the Chicago Zoological Society and served as chair of the IUCN Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG, today CPSG) from 2003-2011. He is still Science Advisor and an active member of CPSG.


After 20+ years working within the ex situ community, including as Director of Auckland Zoo, Executive Director of the Australasian Zoo and Aquarium Association and Chair of Species360, Jonathan Wilcken has been the Executive Director of Amphibian Ark since 2023.


About the podcast


Amphibian Rescue is produced and hosted by María Braeuner, with original music by Pablo Bolaños | Biota Specimens.

Episodes are reviewed and fact-checked by the Amphibian Ark team of experts: Luis Carrillo, Devin Edmonds, Renata Ibelli Vaz, Jonathan Wilcken, Cybele Lisboa, Elizabeth Townsend, María José Chang, and Beatriz Velásquez.

Cover image and intro and outro video footage by © Jaime Culebras

The podcast is made possible thanks to the continued support of Amphibian Ark donors and partners around the world.

Together, we can continue rescuing amphibians in crisis.



💚 Support Amphibian Ark’s work: www.AmphibianArk.org/support-us/]]> <h1>E03 – What is conservation breeding?</h1><p><br></p><p>In this episode, Bob helps us understand how conservation breeding works as a response to the amphibian extinction crisis, especially when chytrid fungus makes protecting wild populations impossible and “insurance populations&#34; are needed to prevent species loss.</p><p>Drawing on Bob’s experience, the episode traces early work on the Puerto Rican toad (sapo concho), then goes on to unpack population management and conservation breeding.</p><p>Then, together with Amphibian Ark’s Executive Director, Jonathan Wilcken, we outline the way Amphibian Ark works today and how it is going from a reactive crisis-response organization to a more proactive organization that continues rescuing amphibians in crisis around the world.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Support Amphibian Ark:</strong> https://www.amphibianark.org/support-us/</p><p><br></p><h2>About our guests:</h2><p><br></p><p>Dr. Bob Lacy is a conservation scientist with the Chicago Zoological Society and served as chair of the IUCN Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG, today CPSG) from 2003-2011. He is still Science Advisor and an active member of CPSG.</p><p><br></p><p>After 20+ years working within the <em>ex situ</em> community, including as Director of Auckland Zoo, Executive Director of the Australasian Zoo and Aquarium Association and Chair of Species360, Jonathan Wilcken has been the Executive Director of Amphibian Ark since 2023.</p><h2><br></h2><h2>About the podcast</h2><p><br></p><p>Amphibian Rescue is produced and hosted by María Braeuner, with original music by<a href="https://biota-specimens.com/" rel="nofollow"> Pablo Bolaños | Biota Specimens</a>.</p><p>Episodes are reviewed and fact-checked by the <a href="https://www.amphibianark.org/about-us/our-team/" rel="nofollow">Amphibian Ark team</a> of experts: Luis Carrillo, Devin Edmonds, Renata Ibelli Vaz, Jonathan Wilcken, Cybele Lisboa, Elizabeth Townsend, María José Chang, and Beatriz Velásquez.</p><p>Cover image and intro and outro video footage by © Jaime Culebras</p><p>The podcast is made possible thanks to the continued support of Amphibian Ark donors and partners around the world.</p><p><strong>Together, we can continue rescuing amphibians in crisis.</strong></p><br /><br />💚 Support Amphibian Ark’s work: www.AmphibianArk.org/support-us/ 8273f38b-8301-41e5-a185-9c4214ec2e98 https://www.amphibianark.org Fri, 06 Mar 2026 16:30:38 +0000 1689 no full E02: Founding the Amphibian Ark with Dr. Onnie Byers & Dr. Bob Lacy E02: Founding the Amphibian Ark with Dr. Onnie Byers & Dr. Bob Lacy 2 Amphibian Ark A crisis response organization for threatened amphibians E02 - Building Amphibian Ark: a crisis-response organization for threatened amphibians


In Episode 2 of Amphibian Rescue, we trace the rapid shift from alarm to action that led to Amphibian Ark. After the 2004 Global Amphibian Assessment confirmed amphibians as the most threatened vertebrates and chytrid fungus spread globally, a 2005 summit in Washington, DC helped shape the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan and sparked the idea of emergency “survival assurance colonies,” with the idea of an “Amphibian Ark” coined there.

In this episode, Dr. Bob Lacy and Dr. Onnie Byers describe how IUCN’s CBSG/CPSG, ASG, and WAZA mobilized quickly, raised early pledges, and began building amphibian husbandry and collaboration across zoos, field teams, veterinarians, and researchers—helping create a global ex situ safety net that would, in 2007, become Amphibian Ark.


Support Amphibian Ark: https://www.amphibianark.org/support-us/


Find the transcript and links to the documents referenced in this episode here: https://www.amphibianark.org/news/article/episode-02-founding-the-amphibian-ark-with-dr-onnie-byers-dr-bob-lacy/


About our guests:


Dr. Onnie Byers was Executive Director of the CBSG/CPSG during the early response to the amphibian crisis and later chaired the group from 2011 up to early 2025. She is now Director of Special Projects at CPSG. 

Dr. Bob Lacy is a conservation scientist with the Chicago Zoological Society and served as chair of the IUCN Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG) from 2003-2011. He is still Science Advisor and an active member of CPSG.



About the podcast


Amphibian Rescue is produced and hosted by María Braeuner, with original music by Pablo Bolaños | Biota Specimens: https://biota-specimens.com/

Episodes are reviewed and fact-checked by the Amphibian Ark team of experts: Luis Carrillo, Devin Edmonds, Renata Ibelli Vaz, Jonathan Wilcken, Cybele Lisboa, Elizabeth Townsend, María José Chang, and Beatriz Velásquez.

Cover image and intro and outro video footage by © Jaime Culebras

The podcast is made possible thanks to the continued support of Amphibian Ark donors and partners around the world.

Together, we can continue rescuing amphibians in crisis.



💚 Support Amphibian Ark’s work: www.AmphibianArk.org/support-us/]]> <h2>E02 - Building Amphibian Ark: a crisis-response organization for threatened amphibians</h2><p><br></p><p>In Episode 2 of Amphibian Rescue, we trace the rapid shift from alarm to action that led to Amphibian Ark. After the 2004 Global Amphibian Assessment confirmed amphibians as the most threatened vertebrates and chytrid fungus spread globally, a 2005 summit in Washington, DC helped shape the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan and sparked the idea of emergency “survival assurance colonies,” with the idea of an “Amphibian Ark” coined there.</p><p>In this episode, Dr. Bob Lacy and Dr. Onnie Byers describe how IUCN’s CBSG/CPSG, ASG, and WAZA mobilized quickly, raised early pledges, and began building amphibian husbandry and collaboration across zoos, field teams, veterinarians, and researchers—helping create a global ex situ safety net that would, in 2007, become Amphibian Ark.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Support Amphibian Ark: </strong>https://www.amphibianark.org/support-us/</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Find the transcript and links to the documents referenced in this episode here: </strong>https://www.amphibianark.org/news/article/episode-02-founding-the-amphibian-ark-with-dr-onnie-byers-dr-bob-lacy/</p><h2><br></h2><h2>About our guests:</h2><p><br></p><p>Dr. Onnie Byers was Executive Director of the CBSG/CPSG during the early response to the amphibian crisis and later chaired the group from 2011 up to early 2025. She is now Director of Special Projects at CPSG. </p><p>Dr. Bob Lacy is a conservation scientist with the Chicago Zoological Society and served as chair of the IUCN Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG) from 2003-2011. He is still Science Advisor and an active member of CPSG.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><h2>About the podcast</h2><p><br></p><p>Amphibian Rescue is produced and hosted by María Braeuner, with original music by<a href="https://biota-specimens.com/" rel="nofollow"> Pablo Bolaños | Biota Specimens</a>: https://biota-specimens.com/</p><p>Episodes are reviewed and fact-checked by the <a href="https://www.amphibianark.org/about-us/our-team/" rel="nofollow">Amphibian Ark team</a> of experts: Luis Carrillo, Devin Edmonds, Renata Ibelli Vaz, Jonathan Wilcken, Cybele Lisboa, Elizabeth Townsend, María José Chang, and Beatriz Velásquez.</p><p>Cover image and intro and outro video footage by © Jaime Culebras</p><p>The podcast is made possible thanks to the continued support of Amphibian Ark donors and partners around the world.</p><p><strong>Together, we can continue rescuing amphibians in crisis.</strong></p><br /><br />💚 Support Amphibian Ark’s work: www.AmphibianArk.org/support-us/ 821b3bc8-8512-406c-88c2-d337dbdf7f36 https://www.amphibianark.org Fri, 06 Mar 2026 15:35:28 +0000 1702 no full E01: The Forgotten Crisis with Dr. Joe Mendelson E01: The Forgotten Crisis with Dr. Joe Mendelson 1 Amphibian Ark Where have all the frogs gone? E01: Where have all the frogs gone?


In Episode 1 of Amphibian Rescue, we go back to the beginning. Herpetologist Dr. Joe Mendelson takes us through the earliest signs of global amphibian declines and the timeline of how scientists went from dismissing the idea to finally accepting that there was a crisis to respond to.

Joe recounts how scientists worldwide initially dismissed disappearances as bad years until patterns converged at the 1989 World Congress of Herpetology and later evidence pointed to disease. The episode follows the slow recognition of chytridiomycosis, and Karen Lips’ documentation of a site’s chytrid arrival and subsequent crash. All of which kickstarted a global movement to respond to this crisis that is, unfortunately, not over yet.

Support Amphibian Ark: https://www.amphibianark.org/support-us/


Find the transcript and links to the documents referenced in this episode here: https://www.amphibianark.org/news/article/episode-01-the-forgotten-amphibian-crisis-with-dr-joe-mendelson/


About our guest:


Dr. Joe Mendelson III is Director of Research at Zoo Atlanta and adjunct professor at Georgia Tech University. He has dedicated his career to taxonomy and herpetology, and was among the first responders to the amphibian decline crisis. He is also a guitarist in the Atlanta-based science punk-rock band Leucine Zipper and the Zinc Fingers.


About the podcast


Amphibian Rescue is produced and hosted by María Braeuner, with original music by Pablo Bolaños | Biota Specimens.

Episodes are reviewed and fact-checked by the Amphibian Ark team of experts: Luis Carrillo, Devin Edmonds, Renata Ibelli Vaz, Jonathan Wilcken, Cybele Lisboa, Elizabeth Townsend, María José Chang, and Beatriz Velásquez.

Cover image and intro and outro video footage by © Jaime Culebras

The podcast is made possible thanks to the continued support of Amphibian Ark donors and partners around the world.

Together, we can continue rescuing amphibians in crisis.



💚 Support Amphibian Ark’s work: www.AmphibianArk.org/support-us/]]> <h1>E01: Where have all the frogs gone?</h1><p><br></p><p>In Episode 1 of Amphibian Rescue, we go back to the beginning. Herpetologist Dr. Joe Mendelson takes us through the earliest signs of global amphibian declines and the timeline of how scientists went from dismissing the idea to finally accepting that there was a crisis to respond to.</p><p>Joe recounts how scientists worldwide initially dismissed disappearances as bad years until patterns converged at the 1989 World Congress of Herpetology and later evidence pointed to disease. The episode follows the slow recognition of chytridiomycosis, and Karen Lips’ documentation of a site’s chytrid arrival and subsequent crash. All of which kickstarted a global movement to respond to this crisis that is, unfortunately, not over yet.</p><p><strong>Support Amphibian Ark:</strong> <a href="https://www.amphibianark.org/support-us/" rel="nofollow">https://www.amphibianark.org/support-us/</a></p><h2><br></h2><p><strong>Find the transcript and links to the documents referenced in this episode here:</strong> https://www.amphibianark.org/news/article/episode-01-the-forgotten-amphibian-crisis-with-dr-joe-mendelson/</p><h2><br></h2><h2>About our guest:</h2><p><br></p><p>Dr. Joe Mendelson III is <a href="https://zooatlanta.org/leader-expert/joe-mendelson-phd/" rel="nofollow">Director of Research at Zoo Atlanta</a> and <a href="https://research.gatech.edu/people/joseph-mendelson-phd" rel="nofollow">adjunct professor at Georgia Tech University</a>. He has dedicated his career to taxonomy and herpetology, and was among the first responders to the amphibian decline crisis. He is also a guitarist in the Atlanta-based science punk-rock band Leucine Zipper and the Zinc Fingers.</p><h2><br></h2><h2>About the podcast</h2><p><br></p><p>Amphibian Rescue is produced and hosted by María Braeuner, with original music by<a href="https://biota-specimens.com/" rel="nofollow"> Pablo Bolaños | Biota Specimens</a>.</p><p>Episodes are reviewed and fact-checked by the <a href="https://www.amphibianark.org/about-us/our-team/" rel="nofollow">Amphibian Ark team</a> of experts: Luis Carrillo, Devin Edmonds, Renata Ibelli Vaz, Jonathan Wilcken, Cybele Lisboa, Elizabeth Townsend, María José Chang, and Beatriz Velásquez.</p><p>Cover image and intro and outro video footage by © Jaime Culebras</p><p>The podcast is made possible thanks to the continued support of Amphibian Ark donors and partners around the world.</p><p><strong>Together, we can continue rescuing amphibians in crisis.</strong></p><br /><br />💚 Support Amphibian Ark’s work: www.AmphibianArk.org/support-us/ d578019a-88c9-4765-84c2-63dc1ace2a5b https://www.amphibianark.org Fri, 06 Mar 2026 15:33:08 +0000 2230 no trailer Amphibian Rescue | The Amphibian Ark Podcast Trailer Amphibian Rescue | The Amphibian Ark Podcast Trailer Amphibian Ark Around the world, amphibians are disappearing. But when conservation in the wild isn’t enough, what options do we have? Amphibian Rescue is the official podcast of Amphibian Ark, sharing the stories of how a global amphibian crisis reshaped conservation—and how science, collaboration, and ex situ programs are already giving amphibian species a second chance at a future back in the wild. Launching with a three-part historical series, the podcast traces how scientists uncovered a global amphibian pandemic, how the conservation community responded, and why assurance colonies became essential to preventing extinction. Future monthly episodes spotlight conservation leaders around the world who are working to breed, safeguard, and ultimately reintroduce amphibians back into the wild. _ Amphibian Rescue is hosted and produced by María Braeuner. With original music by Pablo Bolaños | Biota Specimens: https://biota-specimens.com/ Reviewed and fact-checked by the Amphibian Ark team: Luis Carrillo, Devin Edmonds, Renata Ibelli Vaz, Jonathan Wilcken, Cybele Lisboa, Elizabeth Townsend, María José Chang, Beatriz Velásquez Trailer video footage by © Jaime Culebras; additional clips via © Canva.com by Leo Lee, Black Box, Atelopus | Getty Images, Daniel Bahrmann | Pixabay. 🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. 🌍 Learn more: www.AmphibianArk.org 💚 Support Amphibian Ark’s work: www.AmphibianArk.org/support-us/ Together, we can continue rescuing amphibians in crisis. 💚 Support Amphibian Ark’s work: www.AmphibianArk.org/support-us/ Around the world, amphibians are disappearing. But when conservation in the wild isn’t enough, what options do we have?

Amphibian Rescue is the official podcast of Amphibian Ark, sharing the stories of how a global amphibian crisis reshaped conservation—and how science, collaboration, and ex situ programs are already giving amphibian species a second chance at a future back in the wild.

Launching with a three-part historical series, the podcast traces how scientists uncovered a global amphibian pandemic, how the conservation community responded, and why assurance colonies became essential to preventing extinction.

Future monthly episodes spotlight conservation leaders around the world who are working to breed, safeguard, and ultimately reintroduce amphibians back into the wild.

_

Amphibian Rescue is hosted and produced by María Braeuner.

With original music by Pablo Bolaños | Biota Specimens.

Reviewed and fact-checked by the Amphibian Ark team: Luis Carrillo, Devin Edmonds, Renata Ibelli Vaz, Jonathan Wilcken, Cybele Lisboa, Elizabeth Townsend, María José Chang, Beatriz Velásquez

Trailer video footage by © Jaime Culebras; additional clips via © Canva.com by Leo Lee, Black Box, Atelopus | Getty Images, Daniel Bahrmann | Pixabay.


🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

🌍 Learn more: www.AmphibianArk.org

💚 Support Amphibian Ark’s work: www.AmphibianArk.org/support-us/

Together, we can continue rescuing amphibians in crisis.



💚 Support Amphibian Ark’s work: www.AmphibianArk.org/support-us/]]> <p>Around the world, amphibians are disappearing. But when conservation in the wild isn’t enough, what options do we have?</p><p><em>Amphibian Rescue</em> is the official podcast of Amphibian Ark, sharing the stories of how a global amphibian crisis reshaped conservation—and how science, collaboration, and <em>ex situ </em>programs are already giving amphibian species a second chance at a future back in the wild. </p><p>Launching with a three-part historical series, the podcast traces how scientists uncovered a global amphibian pandemic, how the conservation community responded, and why assurance colonies became essential to preventing extinction.</p><p>Future monthly episodes spotlight conservation leaders around the world who are working to breed, safeguard, and ultimately reintroduce amphibians back into the wild.</p><p>_</p><p>Amphibian Rescue is hosted and produced by María Braeuner.</p><p>With original music by <a href="https://biota-specimens.com/" rel="nofollow">Pablo Bolaños | Biota Specimens</a>.</p><p>Reviewed and fact-checked by the Amphibian Ark team: Luis Carrillo, Devin Edmonds, Renata Ibelli Vaz, Jonathan Wilcken, Cybele Lisboa, Elizabeth Townsend, María José Chang, Beatriz Velásquez</p><p>Trailer video footage by <span>© </span>Jaime Culebras; additional clips <span>via © Canva.com by Leo Lee, Black Box, Atelopus | Getty Images, Daniel Bahrmann | Pixabay. </span></p><p><br></p><p>🎧 Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.</p><p>🌍 Learn more: <a href="http://www.AmphibianArk.org" rel="nofollow">www.AmphibianArk.org</a></p><p>💚 Support Amphibian Ark’s work: <a href="http://www.AmphibianArk.org/support-us/" rel="nofollow">www.AmphibianArk.org/support-us/</a></p><p>Together, we can continue rescuing amphibians in crisis.</p><br /><br />💚 Support Amphibian Ark’s work: www.AmphibianArk.org/support-us/ a1469042-b372-4202-b7b5-504df004fc4c https://www.amphibianark.org Sun, 01 Mar 2026 07:58:32 +0000 81 no