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The Zoological Society of London starts constructing a new centre for the conservation of frogs, toads and amphibians in general within the complex of London Zoo.

The 4 million dollar project will include a public exhibit, laboratories for disease research, and a number of captive breeding facilities. The scientists involved claim it will be the first centre of such significance in the world, and it is extremely necessary to be done now, as the amphibians are the most threatened class of animals – one third of their species have various risk of extinction.
Frogs are threatened by many factors – people killing them, loss of habitats, pollution and recently also some contagious diseases that affect only frogs and toads.
So 5743 species are at stake and it depends on people and on such projects whether they will live or not. Captive breeding programs like this one in London Zoo is a good way to help increase population, because then animals will be returned to nature.
Amphibians include frogs, toads, salamanders and caecilians, they evolved about 250 mln years ago. They undergo metamorphosis, one great natural phenomenon – from larvae to adults.

"It's very easy to maintain high standards of hygiene and biosecurity, plus you can ship them

"I would envisage exhibits demonstrating the range and diversity of amphibians and their habitats," said Richard Gibson, one of the leading scientists in the project. "But I would be keen to have some sort of interactive experience, with people able to peer through a microscope at tadpoles, and experience what it's like to be an embryo. The problem is that most people don't understand how serious the situation is regarding amphibians - to be honest, many of my colleagues who work with other kinds of animals don't fully understand it either."

The first visitors will be able to enjoy frogs and their world at London Zoo in the middle of 2007.