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Extreme leap to save world frogs
8th February 2008
Aerial Extreme is inviting animal enthusiasts to jump in with both feet and support a major new fundraising drive to save the world’s frogs.
The adventure ropes course is organising a sponsored Big Leap from its 40-foot-high tower on leap year day, Friday February 29th between 10am and 3pm, as part of the international Amphibian Ark campaign. Organisers are encouraging people to raise a minimum of £20 sponsorship to ‘take the Big Leap’ with all proceeds going straight to charity.
Campaign organisers have designated 2008 as the Year of the Frog and recruited Sir David Attenborough as their patron to raise awareness of the current plight of frogs and toads worldwide. Experts believe that after thriving for 350 million years, up to half of all amphibian species could die out in the near future – the earth’s single largest mass extinction since the disappearance of the dinosaurs.
As with other animals, amphibians are severely affected by habitat loss, climate change, pollution and pesticides, as well as by over-collection for use as food or pets. However, the most urgent problem facing frogs and toads is chytrid fungus, a disease that is deadly to amphibians which has been spreading from Africa across the planet over the last 50 years.
In the wild, chytrid fungus is unstoppable and untreatable. In the environments where it thrives it can kill 80 per cent of amphibians within months, which has already resulted in widespread extinctions.
Now Amphibian Ark campaigners want to raise £25 million to rescue endangered frogs and place them in ‘protective custody’ in hundreds of zoos and aquariums around the world to ensure their long-term survival.
Site managers at Aerial Extreme, saw the natural link between the course’s big drop and the charity. They said: “We’re delighted to be doing our bit to support this important campaign and we hope visitors will give generously to support our fundraising activity in support of this very good cause.
“Frogs and toads are extraordinary animals but without immediate conservation action hundreds of species could die out within the next few years. The Big Leap has been organised as a high-profile way of raising awareness of the Amphibian Ark and to raise much-needed funds for the campaign.”
To take part in The Big Leap or for more information, contact Aerial Extreme on 0870 850 2808 or email .
The Big Leap will take place at Willen Lake, Trentham Estate and the Knowsley Safari Park sites.
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