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Exo Terra donates to a frog conservation project in B.C.

BAIE-D’URFÉ — Reptile product manufacturer Exo Terra announces its recent partnership with Wildlife Preservation Canada towards the conservation efforts to save the Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa), the most endangered frog in Canada. A sum of $5000 was donated to provide financial relief and support for their recovery plan of this species at risk.

Wildlife Preservation Canada’s mission is to save animal species at risk from extinction in Canada by providing direct, hands-on care. They specialize in science-based techniques such as conservation breeding and release, reintroduction, and translocation. Their Conservation Action Plan is based on the urgency of the need and is updated annually.

According to the Wildlife Preservation Canada (WPC) website, the biggest factor driving the decline of the Oregon spotted frog is likely habitat loss caused by development, agricultural land conversion, resource extraction, and hydrological alterations. Other threats include invasive species and pollution. With just a handful of breeding populations left in Canada, this species could easily disappear without hands-on intervention.

Exo Terra’s contact is lead biologist, Andrea Gielens. Andrea manages WPC’s captive breeding and release programs for the Oregon spotted frog and the coastal Western painted turtle. Andrea has studied at-risk reptiles and amphibians in Canada and abroad, including a term at the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in Jersey. Andrea also manages the Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly recovery program in BC.