SAFARI PARK LEAPS TO JOIN

2:14pm Wednesday 27th February 2008

West Midland Safari Park has agreed to participate in a global effort to raise funds and help save some of the world's most endangered amphibians that are at threat from a deadly disease.

West Midland Safari Park will start their Year of the Frog' campaign on leap day; Friday 29th February 2008 with face-painting, activity sessions and quizzes - all with a froggy' theme - in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of some of the world's longest surviving creatures and raise essential funds to help guarantee their survival, which without urgent action could potentially represent the single largest disappearance of species since the dinosaurs.

The disease, amphibian chytrid fungus, was first discovered less than 10 years ago, and is causing major global concern due to its tendency to drive species to extinction quickly. Not only affecting exotic amphibians found in far off lands, the UK's native frogs, toads and newts are also under threat. The disease has already claimed extinction of 165 species of amphibians throughout the world.

The Year of the Frog' campaign is being headed by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria' (EAZA) - of which West Midland Safari Park is a member. EAZA have joined forces with the worldwide scientific community to formulate the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan, along with an initiative known as the Amphibian Ark' to rescue frogs at risk.

Amphibian Ark' aims to rescue and place some of the world's most endangered amphibian species into protective custody' in hundreds of dedicated facilities at zoos and aquarium around the world for breeding and safekeeping in order to ensure the long term survival of the species. The intention is to release rescued amphibians into the wild once the chytrid fungus has been eradicated.

West Midland Safari Park opened in 1973 and is home to Mark O'Shea's Reptile World - an exotic collection of some of the deadliest, largest, heaviest and longest snakes and reptiles of the world, such as King Cobra, Green Anaconda and Reticulated Python. During the Easter holidays, Reptile World will host frog displays and provide essential information on the plight of amphibians worldwide.

West Midland Safari & Leisure Park is open 10.00am daily, including Bank Holidays, until Friday, 7th November 2008. Admission costs £10.50 per person, including a free return ticket and entry into Mark O'Shea's Reptile World. Amusement rides charged extra. Further information is available from the Park's website www.wmsp.co.uk or by telephone 01299 402114.

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