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Save The Frogs Day 2024 in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan
SAVE THE FROGS! Grantee Ahmed Junaid organized a successful multi-part Save The Frogs Day celebration in Pakistan in April 2024. In collaboration with the staff and students of the Herpetology Lab at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University’s Department of Zoology, Wildlife & Fisheries in Rawalpindi, the event featured two impactful activities.
Watch this quick aerial video of the Save The Frogs Day event in Pakistan!
Photo of Minervarya pierrei courtesy of Professor Dr. Amaël Borzée.
Seminar Day — Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad (April 27th, 2024)
The first event was held at Trail-5, Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad. Over 100 participants, comprising undergraduate and graduate students, postgraduates and faculty members from Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi and other institutions, joined the event.
Mr. Sakhawat Ali, Deputy Director of Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), introduced the national park and its biodiversity. Ahmed Junaid gave the presentation on SAVE THE FROGS! and its global amphibian conservation projects, aims and the significance of Save The Frogs Day. Muzna Kashaf presented on amphibians of Pakistan, emphasizing their ecological importance. The internationally renowned amphibian ecologist Professor Dr. Amaël Borzée (Nanjing Forestry University, China) delivered a lecture on amphibian ecology and conservation. Dr. Muhammad Rais presented recent research projects on amphibians in Pakistan and gave the concluding remarks.
After that, all participants took part in Save The Frogs Day awareness walk and photography session. Refreshments were served to participants, allowing time for interaction and discussion. The event concluded with a few surveys in Margalla Hills National Park, offering participants hands-on experience in field observation.
Participants with Save The Frogs Day Pakistan banner on Seminar Day event of Save The Frogs Day Pakistan at Trail-5, Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad, Pakistan on Saturday, April 27th, 2024.
Field Day — Murree-Kotli Sattian-Kahuta National Park, Rawalpindi (April 28th, 2024)
The second event took place at Murree-Kotli Sattian-Kahuta National Park, which is home to endemic frog species. A team of frog enthusiasts departed from Rawalpindi, led by Dr. Muhammad Rais and Professor Dr. Amaël Borzée.
Despite rainy and challenging weather conditions, the group visited four freshwater streams and successfully observed amphibian species such as Allopaa hazarensis, Duttaphrynus bengalensis, Euphlyctis adolfi, Minervarya pierrei and Nanorana vicina. Participants learned about species identification, habitat preferences and ecological threats amphibians face. The field session also introduced students to modern swabbing protocols used in DNA sampling for amphibian research. These hands-on activities helped students and early-career conservationists develop a deeper understanding of fieldwork and the critical need for amphibian habitat protection.
Through these events, Save The Frogs Day Pakistan 2024 not only educated and inspired participants, but also contributed to amphibian awareness and conservation efforts in the country.
These events were supported by a $350 Save The Frogs Day Grant.
“Thank you to SAVE THE FROGS! for providing me this Save The Frogs Day Grant. I am very happy about organizing Save The Frogs Day in Pakistan, and I will continue my support for SAVE THE FROGS!.” – Ahmed Junaid, SAVE THE FROGS! Pakistan
Participants on Field Day event of Save The Frogs Day Pakistan at Murree Kotli Sattian Kahuta National Park, Rawalpindi, Pakistan on the 16th Annual Save The Frogs Day (Sunday, April 28th, 2024).
Save The Frogs Day was highlighted on the PMAS Arid Agriculture University website:
Seminar Day Photos
Enjoy these images from the seminar day in Pakistan, Save The Frogs Day 2024.
Click on any image to see it larger or to get the slideshow view.
Field Day Photos
Enjoy these images from the field day in Pakistan, Save The Frogs Day 2024.
Click on any image to see it larger or to get the slideshow view.
South Asia Meetups
Join us online every month for South Asia Meetups, during which you will be able to connect with other amphibian enthusiasts and learn about ongoing amphibian conservation efforts in South Asia. The sessions take place on Zoom and are free to attend.
We hope to see you online soon!
Take the Pakistan Course in SAVE THE FROGS! Academy
Learn all about Pakistan’s amphibians with our collection of lessons that includes recordings of past South Asia Meetups!
