http://www.savedarwinsfrogs.org/blog Blogging about the conservation of Darwin's Frogs Fri, 14 May 2010 20:59:17 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Once all of the environmental systems in our captive breeding facility checked out, we added our first group of frogs.  Somewhat surprisingly, the frogs immediately began enacting reproductive behavior.  We had calling and a bit of dancing around between males and females.  We are happy to report that we already ... http://www.savedarwinsfrogs.org/blog/?p=235 The captive breeding facility at the National Zoo in Santiago has been developing very well.  Thankfully, no damage was done during the earthquake.  Our hearts go out to all of those that lost property and loved ones in the terrible natural disaster.  We are all very pleased with how the ... http://www.savedarwinsfrogs.org/blog/?p=225 Our travels around Chile have been many.  We are always investigating new and historic localities for Darwin's Frogs.  We wanted to provide an idea of some of the sights we have been taking in during our field adventures. [caption id="attachment_254" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="The roads we use to get to field sites ... http://www.savedarwinsfrogs.org/blog/?p=252 Our team has been busy working in the field.  Among our objectives, we want to visit historical localities for Darwin's Frogs and determine if they are still there.  If we find frogs, we take skin swabs and see if amphibian chytrid fungus is present. [caption id="attachment_241" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Darwin's Frogs with ... http://www.savedarwinsfrogs.org/blog/?p=239 [caption id="attachment_212" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="A few final touches and..."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_213" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="some adjustments here and there and..."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_214" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="the completed racks are ready for final positioning"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_215" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="VOILA! Ladies and gentlemen, the Darwin's Frog Breeding Center is ready for business!!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_222" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="The Chileans ... http://www.savedarwinsfrogs.org/blog/?p=211 [caption id="attachment_194" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="After several days in the Chilean sun, the coconuts should be dry enough for cleaning."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_195" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Some, however, are more cooperative than others."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_196" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="At last! A frog condominium!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_197" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Talented zoo staff welded a stand for the mister pump ... http://www.savedarwinsfrogs.org/blog/?p=193 [caption id="attachment_183" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="We prowled the wonderful market in Santiago in search of bean beetles to start some of the food cultures for the frogs."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_184" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The kaleidoscope of colors and aromas whetted our appetites."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_185" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="And the fresh produce was a sight to behold!"][/caption] [caption ... http://www.savedarwinsfrogs.org/blog/?p=182 [caption id="attachment_171" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="After much looking around, we finally settled on PVC sections to serve a spacers for the false bottoms."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_172" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Next came custom fitted "egg crating," in actuality diffusers for fluorescent lights."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_173" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="We were excited to find an excellent plastic mesh in ... http://www.savedarwinsfrogs.org/blog/?p=170 [caption id="attachment_160" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Still more plumbing! It's easy to see why plumbers make good money--this is a lot of work!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_161" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Miles and miles of pipe and tubing!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_162" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Try to remember: the drains go in the lowest part of the floor!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_163" align="aligncenter" width="300" ... http://www.savedarwinsfrogs.org/blog/?p=159 [caption id="attachment_143" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Housing Authority...time to make shelters for the Rhinoderma, and to do this we use coconuts. First we drill them to drain the milk."][/caption] [caption id="attachment_144" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Andy makes the supreme sacrifice and helps get rid of the coconut milk...delicious!"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_145" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="How to cut these ... http://www.savedarwinsfrogs.org/blog/?p=142