Jump Into Amphibian Awareness Day at NC Zoo

Asheboro, NC - In an effort to raise awareness of the importance and diversity of amphibians and to bring attention to declining amphibian populations worldwide, the North Carolina Zoo will hold Amphibian Awareness Day at the park Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The event, including exhibits and activities from the park's Cypress Swamp area to the RJ Reynolds Forest Aviary exhibit, will be held in conjunction with the 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.

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. Action steps that the public can take to help with these issues will also be presented Saturday.

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, John E. Skvarla,III, Secretary; Pat McCrory, Governor.

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