INDEPENDENT NEWS

Grant boosts Hamilton Zoo’s frog study

Published: Fri 12 Dec 2008 02:39 PM
Environmental Grant boosts Hamilton Zoo’s frog study
12 DECEMBER 2008 For Immediate Release
Hamilton Zoo’s study of a native species of frog has received a boost thanks to an Environmental Grant from Canon New Zealand. The facility was one of three recipients of the Grant and was selected from 40 submissions from throughout the country.
As a recipient Hamilton Zoo received $5000 worth of specialised equipment to utilise as part of their observation work and study of the Hochstetter’s frogs – including an EOS40D digital camera with a time lapse remote, an EF50mm 2.5 macro lens and EF70- 300mm IS USM lens for shots depicting emergence patterns and for individual identification, and a HV30 HVD video camera to record feeding and breeding behaviours.
Zoo Director Stephen Standley said staff are extremely grateful for the Grant and look forward to putting the new equipment to good use. “The equipment is exactly what we need to be able to take our research around Hochstetter’s frogs to the next level. It will allow us to record behaviours and details rarely seen before, and to better understand this native species,” he said.
Hamilton Zoo staff have been studying Hochstetter’s frogs since 2006 with the aim of developing husbandry techniques to help conserve the amphibians in New Zealand. One of the only four living New Zealand native frog species, Hochstetter’s Frogs were historically found throughout the North Island and part of the South Island, however are only now found in the northern half of the North Island. While they are the most widespread of our remaining native frog species, they are still threatened with extinction – they are listed as ‘Vulnerable’ in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List 2006.
ENDS

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