South Asia Meetups
Educating, Inspiring And Empowering South Asia’s Amphibian Conservationists
SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Meetups are organized by SAVE THE FROGS! India with a goal of connecting and educating amphibian enthusiasts from throughout the subcontinent. We encourage you to join us on our efforts: together we can SAVE SOUTH ASIA’S FROGS!
Photo of Common Indian Toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) by Geetesh Patil, India, Finalist With Extra Honors in the 2023 SAVE THE FROGS! Photo Contest.
Register Here!
Enter your contact info into the form and we will send you updates on upcoming SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Meetups, delivered direct to your inbox. You only need to register once.
We respect your privacy and never sell or rent your information. We never send spam; only amphibious education and inspiration.
About SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Meetups
SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Meetups are free online events focused on amphibian conservation and environmental education in South Asia.
During these one-hour events, you will be able to meet South Asian amphibian conservationists; introduce yourself; hear about ongoing projects on the continent – and tell us about yours. You can ask your questions and receive advice on fundraising, project planning, implementation and communicating your project to the outside world. We will suggest actions you can take to assist your local amphibian populations and to deepen your involvement with SAVE THE FROGS! ?
WHO:
You, frog lovers from around the world, and speakers from India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh, organized by SAVE THE FROGS! India.
WHY:
We like to educate people about amphibians and provide a platform for amphibian conservationists to share their efforts.
WHEN:
SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Meetups take place on the Last Saturday of Every Month at 7pm India Standard Time (except in December, when they take place the 2nd to last Saturday of the month).
HOW TO REGISTER:
Registration is free, fast and easy. You only need to register once in order to attend all future meetings. Please do not register multiple times. We will email you a Zoom link once you register; you should add that to your calendar for the last Saturday of every month. It will work each month.
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD:
We encourage you to spread the word about SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Meetups and invite your colleagues to attend!
Sikkimese Caecilian (Ichthyophis sikkimensis) photo by Bivek Gautam Nepal, 2023 SAVE THE FROGS! Photo Contest Caecilian Category Winner
Schedule Of Events
SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Meetups take place on the Last Saturday of Every Month at 7pm India Standard Time (except in December, when they take place the 2nd to last Saturday of the month.)
You can click scroll to the right to see more data.
Past Speakers + Events Recordings
We are pleased to have hosted an array of knowledgeable speakers during past South Asia Meetups. Click below to learn more about their conservation efforts.
March 29th, 2024
SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Meetup: Presentation on Filmmaking by Suhas Premkumar
Little Planet: A Tale of Frogs – The Journey
Shot over nine years in the Western Ghats, Little Planet – A Tale of Frogs – is an insight into the world of some of the commonly found frogs of the Western Ghats of Southern India. Frogs are such species of wildlife that are least concerned while the big ones get all the necessary attention. This presentation will be an insight into the nine long years journey and about the step ahead.
November 30th, 2024
SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Meetup: Presentation by Prajjwal Ray
Anurans of Northern West Bengal:
Diversity, Natural History, and Conservation
October 26th, 2024
SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Meetup: Presentation by Kanishka Ukuwela
An overview of Amphibians of Sri Lanka
“Sri Lanka is a global hotspot for amphibian diversity, home to over 100 species, with nearly 80% being endemic to the island. Unfortunately, about 65% of these species are currently threatened with extinction, primarily due to habitat loss. In this talk, I will provide a brief overview of the amphibian diversity on the island, highlighting their evolutionary origins, life history, threats, and their conservation needs.”
Dr. Kanishka Ukuwela is a Sri Lankan herpetologist with strong interests in the diversity, evolutionary origins, and conservation of South Asian herpetofauna. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Zoology from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, and earned a PhD in Evolutionary Biology from the University of Adelaide, Australia. Dr. Ukuwela is also a member of the IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, contributing to global conservation efforts. His research focuses on species taxonomy, phylogenetics, and biodiversity conservation, particularly focusing on sea snakes, frogs, and geckos, while working to enhance our understanding of their evolutionary histories and conservation needs.
September 28th, 2024
SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Meetup: Presentation by Dr. Robin Suyesh
How Frogs And Toads Talk
“I will be talking about the basics of amphibian vocalisations, analysis techniques, the significance of bioacoustics studies, latest research and sample case studies.
I am a field biologist and I have primarily worked on the herpetofauna of the South and South East Asia – (Western Ghats, Central India, Himalayan region of Indian subcontinent, Malaysian Borneo, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia). My research has focused on understanding and documenting the behavior and ecology of some very interesting amphibian and reptile species in these three biodiversity hotspots, and on unraveling the amphibian biodiversity in these regions through descriptions of new species (I have co-authored 13 new species).
My Ph.D. research was on “Acoustic communication in the bush frogs of genus Raorchestes and Pseudophilautus” from University of Delhi, in collaboration with University of Minnesota, USA. I am currently working as an Assistant Professor at Department of Environmental Sciences, Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi.”
Dr. Robin Suyesh in the field.
August 31st, 2024
SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Meetup: Presentation by Dr. Varad Giri
Amphibians: There Is More Than Their Croaks
Join us on August 31st for an enlightening session at the SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Meetup, featuring Dr. Varad Giri, Head Scientist at Reliance Foundation. His presentation, “Amphibians: There Is More Than Their Croaks,” will delve into the intriguing and often overlooked world of amphibians. Despite their subtle presence, amphibians play a crucial role in our ecosystems, and Dr. Giri will explore their biological significance, diversity, and the conservation challenges they face.
Session Highlights:
* Uncover the unique biological traits of amphibians.
* Learn about the ecological importance of these creatures and their critical role in the environment.
* Discuss the conservation challenges that threaten their existence.
* Discover fascinating facts about amphibians that go beyond their external appearance.
This session is perfect for nature enthusiasts, students, researchers, and anyone keen to learn more about the hidden wonders of amphibian life. Whether you’re a seasoned biologist or just curious about nature, this webinar will provide valuable insights into why amphibians are much more than just their croaks and why they deserve our attention and protection. Join us in unraveling the mysteries of amphibians!
Dr. Giri has been at the forefront of amphibian and reptile research in India for over two decades, describing 56 new species and earning international recognition. His work spans scientific research to biodiversity education, influencing both academic circles and public awareness.
Dr. Varad Giri in the field.
July 27th, 2024
SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Meetup:
Presentation by Dr. KV Gururaja
Amphibian Conservation in India’s Western Ghats
June 29th, 2024
SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Meetup: Presentation by Hassan Al-Razi
The Story Of A Decade Of Amphibian Research And Conservation
May 25th, 2024
SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Meetup
Amphibian Ecology in India
In this informative and engaging SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Meetup, Dr. Karthik Vasudevan of the Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) in Hyderabad, Telangana, India, discusses crucial amphibian conservation efforts taking place in India.
Topics covered include an overview of SAVE THE FROGS! mission and global impact; Dr. Kriger’s experiences in amphibian conservation across South Asia; insights into the global amphibian decline and its drivers; detailed surveys and research findings from the Western Ghats and Andaman & Nicobar Islands; and the challenges faced by amphibians, including habitat loss, invasive species, and chytridiomycosis. The discussion also explores strategies for amphibian conservation and future directions.
Key takeaways highlight the importance of amphibian conservation in South Asia, the threats to amphibian populations, and the steps being taken to mitigate them, showcasing how local efforts can contribute to global amphibian protection.
SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger and Dr. Vasudevan after the SAVE THE FROGS! World Summit in Kolkata, 2019.
Watch The Recording Here:
Amphibian Diversity in South Asia
SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Meetup:
April 30th, 2023
This SAVE THE FROGS! South Asia Seminar was organized by SAVE THE FROGS! India in celebration of the 15th Annual Save The Frogs Day.
Watch The Event Recording:
“Many many congratulations ?. We are so inspired by your efforts and accomplishments. They speak a volume of tremendous work done by your organisation. We feel happy & fortunate that we got an opportunity to know about frogs and to work with you to spread awareness about them. We wish you all the best.”
– Anuradha Gupta, Prithvi Innovations, Lucknow, India
SAVE THE FROGS! Africa Meeting: December 9th, 2023
In this video, amphibian biologist Thomas Odeyo of Kenya gives a fabulous presentation entitled “Unusual And Rare: The Taita Hills Warty Frog (Callulina dawida)”.
Watch The Recording!
Watch The Recording!
SAVE THE FROGS! Africa:
August 12th, 2023 Meeting
In this video, SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger and fellow amphibian enthusiasts discuss SAVE THE FROGS! Africa and some of the best ways to ensure that people like and respect frogs – which often leads to them saving frogs.
Take the India Course in SAVE THE FROGS! Academy
Learn all about India’s amphibians with our collection of lessons that includes recordings of past South Asia Meetups!
Gain access to SAVE THE FROGS! Academy and more when you become a SAVE THE FROGS! Member. Membership is included with successful scholarship application
Contact Us
Feel free to contact us with questions about SAVE THE FROGS! India or to schedule an interview for your podcast or magazine.
Students at the Rahara Nibedita Art Centre, Kolkata, India
Hi Kerry, I enjoy these zoom sessions in that I am learning more about what the effects of climate change are having on the amphibian populations worldwide. As a meteorologist, I am up to date on what is happening worldwide in the climate arena. The biggest manifestations now seem to extreme heat and catastrophic rain events. Look at the big rain events of the past month in Houston, TX, as well as around the world in Africa, the Middle East, South America and parts of China. These events have got to affect local amphibian populations in wiping out them and their habitats. Unfortunately more is to come. These zoom events are extremely valuable.”
