Episode 132. Zoo Keepers for Oophaga Lehmanni Conservation with Carlos Galvis, Chris Buttermore, and Jack Small

In this episode I sit down with Carlos Galvis, Chris Buttermore, and Jack Small. We discuss the unique challenges facing wild Oophaga Lehmanni,  the work that Cali Zoo is doing to maintain assurance colonies, and their work releasing  frogs into back the wild. Wild lehmanni are arguably much more fragile than their captive counterparts and pose special husbandry challenges in an assurance colony.  We talk about how Cali Zoo came into possession of their founding stock, the work that it takes to develop a reintroduction plan, the first release back into the wild, and the challenges associated with tracking released individuals.  We also cover the Cali Zoo mission and what the future holds.

This week's guests:

Carlos Galvis is Head of Population Department at Cali Zoo, Colombia, Esp Management and Conservation of Endangered Species IUCN Amphibian Specialist Group

Chris Buttermore is Curator of Amphibians as the Dallas World Aquarium and PhD student at Auburn University

Jack Small is a Dart Frog Hobbyist and Breeder, Accomplished Photographer, and Co-Host of 2023  American Frog Day 

To learn more visit: https://www.zoologicodecali.com.co/


To Support the Podcast by becoming a Patron, For Merch and a 10% listener discount on an In Situ Ecosystems vivarium visit: https://linktr.ee/AmphibiCast