CALL OF THE WILD
With their bright orange skin and energetic nature, the army of 200 tiny golden mantella frogs here at Chester Zoo are a firm favourite with everyone who meets them. They’re also currently the subjects of an exciting acoustic study with our partners at Liverpool John Moores University. Together, we're reconnecting the frogs with the calls of their Madagascan wild counterparts.
As one of the global leaders in golden mantella conservation and breeding, our expert Amphibian Team here at the zoo are always looking for ways to learn more about this critically endangered species and its small but fascinating world. When it was picked up that the frogs’ calls here at the zoo were noticeably different to the frogs remaining in Madagascar, our curiosity prompted a two-year acoustic study to help discover what could be behind the subtle differences in sounds.
Watch the video below to hear more about the project from our amphibian experts.
How the golden mantella frog is staying connected with its native roots
CALL OF THE WILD
How the golden mantella frog is staying connected with its native roots
With their bright orange skin and energetic nature, the army of 200 tiny golden mantella frogs here at Chester Zoo are a firm favourite with everyone who meets them. They’re also currently the subjects of an exciting acoustic study with our partners at Liverpool John Moores University. Together, we're reconnecting the frogs with the calls of their Madagascan wild counterparts.
As one of the global leaders in golden mantella conservation and breeding, our expert Amphibian Team here at the zoo are always looking for ways to learn more about this critically endangered species and its small but fascinating world. When it was picked up that the frogs’ calls here at the zoo were noticeably different to the frogs remaining in Madagascar, our curiosity prompted a two-year acoustic study to help discover what could be behind the subtle differences in sounds.
Watch the video below to hear more about the project from our amphibian experts.
MATING CALL
The golden mantella’s call is a huge part of life, travelling far across the forest to reach a potential suitor and to defend territory against rival males. The male’s throat puffs up and makes a short clicking noise to attract a female who will leave her eggs in a secluded spot by the water’s edge.
Our partnership study with Liverpool John Moores University will help us to understand the possible reasons for the frogs bred here at the zoo altering this critical call, and explore the possible differences of zoo life that could be causing the changes. Everything from air conditioning units to glass viewing windows are being considered, with the current sound-controlled environment filled with wild forest sounds and calls giving us a chance to monitor the impact this has on the call of the frogs here in Chester.
DEEP IN THE FOREST...
If you visit the forest-covered swamps of Madagascar, you might be lucky enough to spot golden mantella frogs in their natural habitat. Living in large groups, the social and eye-catching species can now only be found in small, protected pockets of the island in the Mangabe landscape and is currently listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Gold mining, logging and agriculture have all had a huge impact on this tiny species who are estimated to now inhabit an area less than 10km2.
DEEP IN THE FOREST...
If you visit the forest-covered swamps of Madagascar, you might be lucky enough to spot golden mantella frogs in their natural habitat. Living in large groups, the social and eye-catching species can now only be found in small, protected pockets of the island in the Mangabe landscape and is currently listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Gold mining, logging and agriculture have all had a huge impact on this tiny species who are estimated to now inhabit an area less than 10km2.
MATING CALL
The golden mantella’s call is a huge part of life, travelling far across the forest to reach a potential suitor and to defend territory against rival males. The male’s throat puffs up and makes a short clicking noise to attract a female who will leave her eggs in a secluded spot by the water’s edge.
Our partnership study with Liverpool John Moores University will help us to understand the possible reasons for the frogs bred here at the zoo altering this critical call, and explore the possible differences of zoo life that could be causing the changes. Everything from air conditioning units to glass viewing windows are being considered, with the current sound-controlled environment filled with wild forest sounds and calls giving us a chance to monitor the impact this has on the call of the frogs here in Chester.
SMALL BUT MIGHTY
Such a small animal might not seem to play a huge part in balancing the ecosystem, but frogs, such as the golden mantella, play a crucial role in keeping water systems clean and eating up the insects and pests that can cause major problems. There are even studies to show that reduced numbers of frogs in certain areas can affect the malaria rates in humans, as mosquitoes are not being kept in check efficiently.
SMALL BUT MIGHTY
Such a small animal might not seem to play a huge part in balancing the ecosystem, but frogs, such as the golden mantella, play a crucial role in keeping water systems clean and eating up the insects and pests that can cause major problems. There are even studies to show that reduced numbers of frogs in certain areas can affect the malaria rates in humans, as mosquitoes are not being kept in check efficiently.
CONSERVATION COUNTS
The connections with our Madagascan partner organisation, Madagasikara Voakajy, are a vital learning tool that flows both ways — with our discoveries here at the zoo improving the work happening in Madagascar and the wild population, while the work in Madagascar gives us vital insights to improve the welfare of the zoo population.
Keeping track of hundreds of small frogs who call the Mangabe forest home is no easy task. With no natural markings or individual characteristics, finding a way to identify individuals was a huge breakthrough in managing and protecting the wild population and providing us with insights that can improve animal wellbeing back here in Chester.
After some intensive training, our team was able to mark hundreds of frogs in Madagascar using an implanted fluorescent silicone, elastomer, which glows under a UV light. This tracking technology has helped us to glean new insights into how the frogs move throughout their breeding sites and their longevity out in the wild, which is a vital part of protecting the critically endangered species for the future.
This work out in the field has continued to cement our position as a leader in golden mantella breeding, with plans to create a detailed blueprint for other zoos around the world to consult when it comes to caring for this charismatic, colourful species.
