How Clorox® Regular Bleach Helps FrogsFrogs Helped by CloroxExplore MoreClorox's Role in Saving Frogs
Clorox® Regular Bleach is an EPA-registered fungicide proven to kill the chytrid fungus, which is devastating amphibian populations worldwide. It's one of the most important tools in the Amphibian Ark's fight to save frogs from extinction.
When an endangered frog is rescued in the wild, it is treated with an anti-fungal medicine. Anything else that's been in contact with water during the rescue — from boots and clothing to instruments and transport containers — is treated with a bleach solution. This ensures researchers do not spread the fungus to new, uncontaminated areas.
When the rescued frogs are brought into protective custody at a biosecure facility, their new enclosure is treated with a bleach solution daily for the first few weeks. This helps to further control the possible spread of the chytrid fungus.
(Note that Clorox® Regular Bleach is never applied directly to the frogs.)
"We are grateful to Clorox for signing on as the first official sponsor of "2008 Year of the Frog" and hope their commitment will encourage others to join this important global conservation mission," Amphibian Ark Program Officer, Kevin Zippel, said in an AARK press release. "Clorox's support, along with the donation of bleach for use in our efforts, will make a real impact for the cause."
"When we heard about Amphibian Ark's campaign and learned that bleach played a critical role in its efforts, we wanted to help," said Clorox public relations director Mary O'Connell in the release. "Amphibian Ark really is creating an ark in what's become a race to save frogs and other amphibians not from decline — but from extinction. How could we not help?"
Clorox and the El Valle Amphibian Rescue Center
Clorox is also an official corporate sponsor of the El Valle Amphibian Rescue Center in Central Panama. This facility, still in construction, will eventually maintain as many as 1,000 animals representing approximately 40 amphibian species. Native to Panama, these species — including the horned marsupial frog, coronated tree frog, ghost glass frog and red-eyed tree frog — will be held safe at the rescue center until the chytrid fungus runs its course or can be eradicated from the wild.
With help and donations from aquariums, academic institutions, international conservation organizations and Clorox, the El Valle Amphibian Rescue Center will devote half of its facilities to quarantine, treatment and captive breeding efforts. Many of the rescued amphibian species have never been bred in captivity before. The other half of the facility will be open to the public and exhibit two dozen or more native amphibian species.
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