Amphibians are the most threatened vertebrate class on Earth, with chytrid fungus causing mass extinctions. Zoo conservation breeding programs have become lifelines for species eliminated from the wild.
Zoo amphibian conservation breeding addresses a genuine wildlife emergency, but captive amphibian welfare requires highly specialized husbandry. Temperature, humidity, substrate, and feeding requirements differ dramatically between species and are often poorly understood. Infectious disease management — particularly preventing chytrid introduction to clean facilities — is critical. The welfare case for captive amphibian programs is strong given the alternative of extinction, but programs must be designed with evidence-based species requirements rather than generic amphibian care assumptions.