Madeline SchwartzThe song of our Coqui
April 14th 2008 14:09
Click Here! See the video!
As I mentioned, our Coqui is not ordinary frog and do not usually inspire national pride, but the Coqui drew a large crowd, the Bronx Zoo, New York, USA; unveiled its newest exhibit. Our Coqui is the star! The chirping frogs are an unofficial symbol of Puerto Rico, which is their only native habitat.
Cultural connection aside, bringing the frogs to the zoo was important because amphibians are rapidly dying in the wild from a lethal fungus, said Melissa Mohring, 27, Bronx Zoo wild animal keeper.
Experts are calling the fungus a “global amphibian crisis,” she said. The fungus, Chytrid, kills amphibians within two days of exposure by attacking their skin. Because amphibians use their skin for respiration, their breathing is severely compromised by the disease. Scientists say the fungus is most likely transmitted directly from frogs to tadpoles or through infected water.
“It’s a beautiful sound,” said zoo visitor Isabel Belmont, 21, who has lived in Puerto Rico and New York. “Especially in a really quiet village, you hear it clearly.” Enjoy!
| 84 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Divetterdz