The fact that there are hundreds of animal species that are close to extinction or have already disappeared in the wild and yet continue to exist in private keeping seems absurd. Our fantastic tree climber is one of these species. Hobbyists all over the world care for this frog and enjoy its beauty. But only a few of these keepers are interested in the survival of the species and its actual habitat. The Dutch association “Dendrobatidae Nederland” proves that there is another way. With several thousand members, it is the world’s largest association of frost enthusiasts. The Dutch have not only supported our project and thus the continued existence of Ranitomeya Fantasticas in the color scheme of its first description with a five-figure donation, but have also helped us to promote our work in Peru since 2022 and to find further supporters for the establishment and expansion of the protected area.
In addition to numerous mentions in their magazine of the same name and the mediation of potential supporters, the boys and girls of the association have given offspring of the frog to Rostock Zoo. This not only follows the principle that it is easier to campaign for the protection of an animal species that you have seen yourself (without having to leave the continent), but also the precautionary idea for scenarios of a forest fire or the outbreak of a fungal disease (keyword chytrid). It would not be the first species whose offspring have found their way back into the wild.
We are delighted to welcome two representatives of “Dendrobatidae Nederland” to our ranger station. Marco and Jeroen were welcomed less formally than we Europeans are used to, but all the more warmly by our ranger Watson. The US-American Josh, who found this forest for us and without whom this project would never have existed in this form, is also involved. In this constellation, four nations from three continents are already working to protect a piece of the Amazon rainforest and its special species community in every respect. We would like to thank everyone involved and hope for such strong support in the future.
Click here for Dendrobatidae Nederland