Canyon Tree Frogs in Utah - Canyoneers help needed

[Al_HikesAZ]

I know we have a lot a Canyoneers - many who go to Utah. If you are already aware of this, thank you. If you had not previously heard about this, please take it to heart and do your part.

Posted by: "Curt Walker" w.curt67@yahoo.com w.curt67
Thu Mar 10, 2011 9:21 am (PST)

Hi Canyoneers,

I'm a list lurker and biology prof at Dixie State College in St. George. I've been studying the canyon tree frogs in Zion for 3 summers now, and have just heard that the horrible chytrid fungus may be present in some frogs from Pine Creek. I'd like to offer some simple tips that can help prevent the spread of this disease, which will likely kill a large percentage of frogs that get infected.

The main way to stop the spread is very simple: let your gear dry completely between canyons whenever possible. The most likely way to spread the disease is to get some of the fungus on your equipment (you won't see it) and then do another canyon in a different drainage before everything is completely dry. If your gear dries, the fungus dies.

There is lots of info online about this fungus and how to prevent it from spreading and how it's decimating worldwide amphibian populations, but if our canyoneering community can just keep this one simple idea in mind, we might slow it down or even stop its spread locally.

Thanks!
Curt Walker

PS: If you'd like to report finding lots of canyon tree frogs in a southern Utah canyon that is NOT in Zion, email my student Crystal at crystalburtis@ gmail.com

Thank you.

[joebartels]

Ahh another Quagga and Zebra mussel issue

[PLC92084]

I hope this doesn't turn out be a problem like White Nose Syndrome with bats... I've practically given up on ever seeing the inside of a non-tourist-attraction-type cave because of WNS. California's a total mess because of Kangaroo Mice, Delta Smelt and Condors... Sheesh!!

[Vaporman]

Save the speckled-pumpkin Canyon tree frogs!!! What will they think of next... :roll: