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The Amphibian Ark is a world wide program in which multiple species of amphibians (including frogs) that would otherwise go extinct will be maintained in captivity until they can be secured in the wild. Naturalists believe that without immediate captive management as a stopgap component of an integrated conservation effort, hundreds of species could become extinct. This program is especially pertinent for Panama as a frog-killing fungus has just passed south of the Panama Canal on its way to South America.

Amphibians and Panama

Panama is the tropical country at the bottom of Central America where the Panama Canal crosses 50 miles from Pacific to Atlantic. Besides its Pacific and Caribbean coasts Panama has tropical rain forests, central highlands with unspoiled natural beauty, and a first world infrastructure in Panama City on the Pacific end of the Panama Canal. A current concern for naturalists is that a newly introduced fungus is killing frogs and other amphibians across Central America. That fungus has passed south of the Panama Canal and will in all likelihood progress to South America. Now the question is what does this mean for Panama’s environment, agriculture, forests, and total ecologic health?

Panama Frog Hotel

According to National Geographic, November 2, 2006, a “Frog Hotel” has been established near El Valle, Panama. Experts went into the wild and captured numerous amphibians. As of 2006 about 300 amphibians representing more than 20 species were being housed at the Hotel Campestre in El Valle, where the animals are treated to daily cage cleaning and hand-captured insect meals. It is hoped that these animals can be preserved in captivity until the fungus can be dealt with. As of 2006, according to National Geographic, the fungus is so deadly that within six months of arrival in a given country, about half of all amphibian species disappear and overall populations are reduced by 80 percent.

Frog Death and Panama Environmental Health

It is possible that once the fungus has killed all susceptible members of each species in the environment that the remaining members, resistant to the fungus may repopulate the wild. Time will tell.

In the meantime nature has not gone away. In fact, extinction is part of nature and the environment. When one species passes on another comes to enter the empty ecological niche.

Panama still has a beautiful natural environment. Panama is still a beautiful tropical country with white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. The central highlands still provide relief from low land heat and humidity. In the Darien flocks of parrots still fly overhead.

The fungus that kills some frogs does not hurt people and people will continue to travel to Panama to vacation or take advantage of Panama’s easy residency requirements to move here. Expatriates still find Panama’s business friendly government a lure and will bring their energy and talent to Panama.

If you are interested in the frog situation in Panama, check with National Geographic, the El Valle frog hotel, or Amphibian Ark.

If you are interested in investing in real estate in Panama come to see us at ABPanama. With more than 23 years experience managing real estate portfolios we can help you prosper in real estate investment in Panama.