Chapter 1: The Sixth Extinction

  Chapter one of the Sixth Extinction by author Elizbeth Kolbert begins in El Valle De Antón in Central Panama. The primary focus being, the golden frog. The golden frog was a common symbol and was activity seen in markets dressed in different styles. Popularity was found due to common relations considering the golden frog species was abundant. This can be shown in page five when Kolbert states, “one creek not far from El Valle was nicknamed Thousand Frog Stream. A person walking along it would see so many golden frogs sunning themselves on the banks that, as one herpetologist who made the trip many times put it to me, ‘it was insane-absolutely insane’.” (p. 5). After reading that quote I was immediately brought into a trance. I saw an image that was bright and clean, showing not only a clean flow of water but a beautiful golden species. Unfortunately, the species began to disappear. Due to this, biologist created a facility that would house, aid and hopefully save the collected golden frogs from extinction. The biologists named this establishment the “frog hotel”, also known as El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center (EVACC). Although described nicely, I was concerned when it came to taking endangered species out of their natural habitat; would they react the same inside a mock environment (Q)? My concerns were eased when the problem behind the disappearances were solved. Due to Chytrid Fungi (Bd), not only did the golden frogs disappear but more species were being impacted. The chapter continues to state that the survival of the frog species was questionable. I didn't think much of it until I read “...amphibians have been around not just longer than just mammals, or birds, they have been around since there were dinosaurs” (p.11). It hurts to see that species who shared life and land with dinosaurs are beginning to die due to the current way of life. What species will it take for humans to acknowledge how poor we treat our environment. The APES theme of humans alter natural resources continued to show on page 18 when it stated “A second theory holds that the fungus was spread by North American bullfrogs… which have been introduced sometimes accidentally, sometimes purposely… and are often exported for human consumption” (p. 18). Humans continue to be a detriment to the environment for selfish purposes. By moving around species for our own consumption we are altering ecosystems and eating cycle without even batting an eye. Although spreading Bd was not the intended purpose of exporting bullfrogs, we must do research and think about other areas before acting on selfish needs.