FrAgile

A campaign to save the Agile Frog

The Jersey agile frog is a conservation priority for Jersey. Considered a distinct population, it would be classified as Critically Endangered under the international conservation criteria of the World Conservation Union, if officially assessed. It is confined to only one native site and is threatened by droughts, predators (newts, ducks, cats, ferrets), water pollution and habitat change.

Durrell has been actively involved in a partnership with the States of Jersey and JARG (Jersey Amphibian and Reptile Group) that has been monitoring the Island’s small population of agile frogs through in-situ habitat management, a ‘headstarting’ programme and a species action plan since 1993. Ongoing efforts are required to establish new populations and ensure that safe wild areas are established on the Island where the agile frog can survive on an ongoing and sustainable basis. This requires both active conservation work and public education within Jersey to safeguard its habitat and raise awareness.

‘The FrAgile’ Partnership

HSBC Private Bank, Bedell Group, Motormall and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust have launched a partnership to deliver an exciting project that supports both the active field conservation of the agile frog and an education and public awareness programme, targeting all of Jersey’s primary and secondary schools. This partnership will run initially until December 2009, in collaboration with the States of Jersey and the Jersey Amphibian and Reptile Group (JARG) and will provide a significant boost to efforts to save the agile frog.

The employees of the companies will be directly involved as volunteers, working with both the schools' campaign and the headstarting programme. Durrell is delighted to have the involvement of these corporate partners and their generous financial support, but also for enabling their staff to get involved and make a real difference to conserving Jersey wildlife.

Actor and Comedian John Cleese has also kindly donated some of his time to assist us in the production of a short video highlighting the plight of the Agile Frog.