On 29th May 2015, members of the SAVE THE FROGS! UCAES Chapter will organise a mega Save The Frogs Day, the world’s largest day of amphibian education and conservation action, within the home of the Togo Slippery Frog (Conraua derooi), the Atewa Range Forest Reserve. Celebrating under the theme; “Saving the Iconic Togo Slippery Frog from Extinction, the Role of Local People,” the day is expected to bring together over 200 local people. Events lined up for the day include a street parade, drumming and dancing for frogs and a ‘froggy’ quiz competition between 4 local schools. The quiz competition will focus on the unique ecological value of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, threats to local frogs especially the Togo Slippery Frog, why the need to protect frogs and their habitats and how to protect them. These interactive events are all geared towards raising awareness about the plight of local frogs especially the Togo Slippery Frog as well as empowering local people to prevent the destruction of their habitats.
The Atewa Range Forest Reserve is Ghana’s most biodiverse yet most threatened wilderness area. It is home to the critically endangered Togo Slippery Frog, a close relative of the world’s largest frog, the Goliath Frog (Conraua goliath). There are widespread illegal mining and logging activities funded by both local and foreign individuals which are unfortunately destroying critical habitats of the frog and other natural resources including water bodies which supply over 5 million Ghanaians with drinking water. In recent years, SAVE THE FROGS! Ghana together with other local non-profit conservation organisations have been spearheading campaigns to get the Government of Ghana to upgrade the status of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve from a reserve to a national park for its permanent protection. This year’s Save The Frogs Day, is to get local people involved in the fight against the destruction of this unique forest.
Thanks to SAVE THE FROGS! USA and our global donors for supporting this campaign!
