Read more: Local, Environment, Science, Chytrid Virus, Amphibians, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Bob Chastain, Extinction, Panama, Frogs, Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- A team of scientists, including several from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, make an important scientific discovery in Panama. And many rare species may have been saved just in time.
The group of scientists traveled to Panama to collect and save several rare species of frogs that are only found in one small part of the Central American country.
But while they were there, the team discovered a deadly fungus responsible for devastating dozens of species of amphibians had spread.
The team was able to rescue what may be some of the last living specimens of four types of frogs, species that could lead to important medical breakthroughs.
The team went to a part of Panama where they thought the deadly Chytrid fungus hadn't spread, the theory being that they could take their time and collect as many healthy specimens as they wanted.
But when they got there they discovered the fungus had beat them.
It was a small subdued press conference at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo(CMZ) Friday held to address this issue. But the discovery announced is sending shockwaves across the scientific world. A killer fungus is spreading much faster than originally thought and endangering 15 to 20 species of rare exotic frogs.
"Fifty percent of the amphibians in Panama could be threatened with extinction in the next 2 -- 5 years," said team member and CMZ president Bob Chastain.
The team recently braved muddy, humid conditions deep in the Panamanian jungle and they were able to rescue several specimens and treat them with anti-fungal baths.
"It was set up to go find a small number of species, start a pilot program, make sure we could understand everything get all of that right before Chytrid came in. It's just unfortunate that Chytrid moves much faster sometimes than we think it does," Chastain said.
And the discovery that the fungus had spread much farther than anticipated means time is running out.
"We have about three months before this population will severely decline," said Chastain.
These very small and very rare frogs could hold the secret to one day curing some of the world's worst diseases.
"There is a substance that has been isolated form the skin of an amphibian that is showing great ability to kill the HIV virus,” Chastain said.
The team will now return to Panama and try and collect as many frogs as possible. The tiny specimens will then be treated and put into a breeding program that could save the species.
“If we can figure out how to combat Chytrid in the wild those frogs could be returned to the wild," Chastain said.
The team, including four scientists from CMZ, will make an emergency return to the jungle Tuesday to try and rescue as many frogs as possible.
But because of the extreme living conditions there they will only be able to stay about seven days.
