Slashdot Mirror
Artificial Misting System Allows Reintroduction of Extinct Toad
terrancem writes "The Kihansi Spray Toad went extinct in the wild in 2005 when its habitat in Tanzania was destroyed by a dam. However conservationists at the Bronx Zoo managed to maintain a captive population which is now large enough to allow a bold experiment to move forward: reintroducing the toad into its old habitat. To make the once tropical gorge moist again, engineers have designed an artificial misting system that should allow toads to survive in the wild. The effort marks what may be the first time conservationists have ever re-established an 'extinct' species in a human-engineered ecosystem."
These toads are very unusual. The noise of the waterfall makes croking an impractical method of communication. They instead use hand signals to communicate.
SJW n. One who posts facts.
The lesson that we can take away from this is that good editors should have been kept in zoos too.
"His name was James Damore."
The editors are correct. It very clearly says "extinct in the wild". "In the wild" does not include "in captivity".
I want a new quote. One that won't spill. One that don't cost too much. Or come in a pill.
Microecosystems are very fragile yes. But they are also not typically that common. that is micro-ecological systems where a species is severely restricted one waterfall, one pool (Devils Hole Pupfish), etc. Such critters are essentially relics, that got super attached to one thing, and that one thing is now cutoff. In essence, they overadapted in the wrong direction, and are thus naturally headed to extinction even if we didn't build the dam (unless the system somehow reverses itself and their small little niche grows once more).
It's like if a three legged cat in a world of dogs managed to still exist by only living on top of a high butte above the plain...and then an earthquake leveled the butte and now the cats are on the same level as the dogs, and thus now become dogchow.
The guy who said the election was rigged won the presidency with the second-most votes.
Once humans die out or someone turns off the system, then these toads are toast.
Mmm, toasted toad...
Seriously, if an artificial misting system is needed to keep them alive, the chances of their survival is none. I give it max 20 years before it gets turned off for budgetary concerns or maintenance neglect, or conflicts with local people who wants the land and its resources.
http://www.google.com/search?q=failed+conservation+efforts+in+tanzania
Any which way, they'll croak.