Wildlife

Wild Amphibian Welfare and Decline

Amphibians are among the most threatened vertebrates globally, facing welfare harm from disease, habitat loss, and climate change.

Key Facts

Over 40% of amphibian species are threatened with extinction
Chytridiomycosis has caused the decline of over 500 amphibian species
Amphibians are significant pest controllers and integral to ecosystem function
Chytrid fungus causes skin disease and osmoregulatory failure in frogs
Road mortality is a significant welfare and conservation issue for toads and salamanders

Welfare Considerations

Wild amphibians face immense welfare harm from disease, habitat loss, climate change, and human persecution. Chytridiomycosis causes a protracted and painful death from skin disease. Conservation of amphibian populations through habitat protection, disease management, and captive insurance programs is both a conservation and a welfare imperative.

What You Can Do

Support amphibian conservation organisations and habitat projects
Participate in toad patrols to prevent road mortality during breeding migrations
Avoid releasing amphibians or aquatic plants from garden ponds into the wild
Report unusual amphibian mortality events to surveillance networks
Support biosecurity measures to prevent chytrid spread