Chytrid fungal disease is driving the worst disease-caused vertebrate extinctions in recorded history. Zoo amphibian conservation programmes are critical lifeboats, but their welfare management is complex and demanding.
Amphibian conservation in zoos operates under extreme urgency — for many species, the captive population is the only remaining one. Welfare management of amphibians requires precise environmental control (temperature, humidity, UV provision, water chemistry), strict biosecurity to prevent disease introduction, and species-specific husbandry developed from limited knowledge bases. The welfare and conservation stakes are inseparable: a poorly managed amphibian programme that loses its insurance population has failed both the individual animals and the species. Investment in amphibian husbandry expertise, sharing of knowledge between institutions, and support for field conservation that addresses the root chytrid disease problem are all essential components of responsible amphibian welfare and conservation.