Golden frog  (Mantella aurantiaca)

This species is very popular in the pet-trade and over-collection of individuals is still carried out at some areas. Although at present there are no signs of reduction of population size due to this take off, it must be carefully monitored in the future to assure the survivorship of the species (6). Furthermore, large-scale deforestation, predation by introduced species, and encroachment by humans are all posing threats to this frog (4).

All mantella frogs are listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which controls international trade in these species (2). The golden frog is bred in captivity in a number of zoos and other breeding facilities, including the Detroit Zoological Institute's National Amphibian Conservation Centre, which breeds hundreds each year for use in breeding programmes in other institutions (5). The provision of captive-bred individuals to zoos reduces the stress on wild populations caused by collection. Captive breeding programmes may also provide a genetic reservoir of a species to safeguard it should the population undergo a drastic decline or even become extinct; they also provide sources of animals for reintroduction to the wild and allow research to be carried out (5). Although captive breeding is an important facet of any conservation programme, protection of the remaining wild populations and the habitat on which they depend is of great importance (7).