Amphibians face the most severe extinction crisis of any vertebrate class; zoo conservation programs play a critical role while welfare requirements for this group are increasingly understood.
Amphibian welfare in zoos is governed by their specific physiological vulnerabilities. Water quality is paramount — chlorinated water, wrong pH, or contamination causes rapid skin damage and death. Temperature and humidity management must reflect species-specific requirements, which vary enormously between tropical and temperate species. Handling should be minimized: amphibians absorb chemicals through their skin, including residues from human hands. Stress from handling, inappropriate group housing, and incorrect environments manifests in reduced feeding, immune suppression, and disease susceptibility. Conservation breeding programs for species like Panamanian golden frogs and Wyoming toads represent some of the most important zoo conservation work happening globally.