Responding to the chytrid amphibian crisis requires both captive assurance colonies preserving genetic diversity and field biocontrol research seeking solutions for wild population recovery.
Captive assurance colony welfare involves the paradox of preserving species by holding animals in conditions that deny full expression of their natural ecology. Frogs in biosecure facilities cannot be allowed the outdoor life appropriate to wild animals because contamination risk is too high. The welfare of captive amphibians requires enrichment of artificial environments as much as possible within biosecurity constraints while treating captivity as a temporary conservation measure rather than a permanent solution. Biocontrol research that creates conditions for wild population recovery is ultimately the highest-welfare outcome for these species.