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50 The National Amphibian Conservation Center
- University of California Press
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339 Zoos are evolving, becoming more than just a place to take children on a warm summer day. The best zoos provide not only the recreational opportunities but the educational and science-based conservation opportunities as well. Most zoos must rely upon the charismatic megafauna (elephants, rhinos, lions, etc.) to bring the public through the gates—it is a simple matter of economics. This does not mean, however, that the smaller, lesser-known species, such as amphibians, should be excluded. In fact, amphibians have become big business. With the overwhelming number of frog-related items currently in the marketplace (including Kermit© and ads with frogs croaking out beer brand names), amphibians are in the public’s consciousness as never before. The history of amphibians at the Detroit Zoo extends back to 1960, when The Holden Museum of Living Reptiles opened to the public. At that time, the facility was considered state-of-the-art, and a smattering of small amphibian enclosures were included among the larger reptile habitats. Amphibian breeding efforts first occurred in 1970, when we began producing and rearing clutches of axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum). In 1990, to acknowledge that amphibians were also included in the building, the facility’s name was officially changed to The Holden Museum of Living Reptiles and Amphibians. Since 1994, the Detroit Zoological Institute has intensified its commitment to amphibian husbandry and conservation . Our successes, which include several programs that have won national awards for long-term propagation and conservation of amphibians, have encouraged an even greater role with these animals. In light of the global decline in amphibian populations, the need for a national conservation center for amphibians became more urgent and an idea was born: The National Amphibian Conservation Center (NACC). The NACC is the first major conservation facility dedicated entirely to conserving and exhibiting amphibians. In fact, only two other zoos in the United States (the Columbus Zoo and the San Antonio Zoo) have ever had separate public exhibits for amphibians, and both of these exhibits were converted from small, other-use buildings. The San Antonio Zoo is the only other U.S. zoo that currently exhibits amphibians separate from reptiles and/or fish. The goals of the NACC can be summarized as follows: To create a sense of wonder and excitement about these fascinating creatures To show the diversity and complexity of the amphibian world through the use of living exhibits and interpretive messages To create a sense of public stewardship for these animals and their environments To serve as a model for future facilities around the country and the world To serve as a resource for scientists and researchers. One critical element of the NACC is its placement near the front of the zoo. The NACC is located along the southeast corner of Island Lake and is “immersed” in a created wetland habitat . A free-flowing contour has been constructed with lush plantings of Great Lakes plants representing bog, sedge, and wet meadow habitats. Native turtles, fish, birds, and amphibians are exhibited in this wetland area. The building itself appears slightly sunken into the habitat, allowing for a more immersed and naturalistic feel. The nearby river otter exhibit and wetland-themed children’s playscape area enhance the wetlands emphasis in this part of the zoo. Although the NACC is best experienced rather than described , we will attempt to provide an overview. The NACC is designed to be both intrinsically beautiful and functional. It occupies over 12,000 square feet, of which approximately half is dedicated to public-access space; the other half contains offexhibit research, propagation, and holding space. Exhibits define and describe amphibians, metamorphosis, amphibian evolution and diversity, and aspects of amphibian ecology, as well as conservation biology. The Orientation Theater, a circular room with multimedia capabilities, is open to the public, school groups, and other organizations. The outside wall of this room is glass, which allows visitors to observe the outdoor wetland. A demonstration pond appears to come inside from the outdoors. This glass-sided pond features aquatic plants, tadpoles, and the occasional aquatic salamander. The pond allows visitors an opportunity to get up close and personal with F I F T Y The National Amphibian Conservation Center ANDREW T. SNIDER AND ELIZABETH ARBAUGH 340 NATIONAL AMPHIBIAN CONSERVATION CENTER an aquatic ecosystem. Docents (zoo volunteers) have an opportunity to use this area as a living classroom, where they can discuss amphibians with the general public and school groups. A new short film produced for the Detroit Zoological...