ASHEBORO, NC - In an effort to raise awareness of the rapid disappearance of frog species worldwide, the North Carolina Zoo will hold Amphibian Awareness Day at the park Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

The event, including games, information tables and activities for all ages, will be held in conjunction with the 4th annual Save The Frogs Day, also set for Saturday, worldwide. The annual celebration of amphibians is the nation's largest day of amphibian education and conservation. Additionally, at least 150 Save The Frogs Day events are happening in 25 countries, from the United States to Australia and from Canada to Bangladesh. The worldwide events are coordinated by SAVE THE FROGS!, a California-based nonprofit dedicated to amphibian conservation (www.savethefrogs.com).

Amphibian populations worldwide have been declining at unprecedented rates, and nearly one-third of the world's amphibian species are threatened with extinction. As many as 200 species have disappeared in recent years.

Amphibians are faced with an onslaught of environmental problems, including climate change, pollution, infectious diseases, habitat loss, invasive species, and over-harvesting for the pet and food trades.

Save The Frogs Day 2012 has been officially recognized by N.C. Gov. Beverly Perdue.

The event is free with paid zoo admission of $12 for adults, $8 for children (2-12) and $10 for seniors 62-and-over and college students. For additional information, call 1-800-4888-0444 or visit the zoo Web site at www.nczoo.org.

The zoo is an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Dee A. Freeman, Secretary; Beverly E. Perdue, Governor.

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