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[Columbia, SC] - Leap into the Zoo on Saturday, March 1, for a day of froggy fun and amphibian activities to help Riverbanks celebrate the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Year of the Frog. The AZA is highlighting 2008 as the Year of the Frog to mark a major conservation effort to address the amphibian extinction crisis. According to the World Conservation Union (IUCN), it is estimated that at least one-third of known amphibian species are threatened with extinction. As an AZA–accredited institution, Riverbanks is hosting Leap Day events to help raise amphibian awareness in the community, pass along a positive conservation message and share ways that local citizens can help make a difference in this critical conservation effort. 
Riverbanks guests will leap into action when the Zoo opens at 9am and kids hop into the park in a leap frog line. The excitement doesn’t stop there; family-friendly activities will line the plaza until 3pm. Visitors can get up-close and personal with some of the Zoo’s amphibians, participate in a jumping contest, create a toad abode, draw the perfect amphibian habitat to enter the Hoppy Habitats Contest, pledge their allegiance to amphibian conservation and wear their love for frogs on their sleeve with a temporary tattoo. Our expert staff will be hosting toad-ally cool keeper talks, at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm in front of the Aquarium Reptile Complex (ARC). Guests will meet our marine toads, learn about the conservation efforts at Riverbanks and how the amphibian extinction crisis is affecting South Carolina, and our adult guests can learn what they can do to be a friend to frogs. “The amphibian extinction crisis is affecting areas all over the world, and South Carolina is not excluded,” said Scott Pfaff, curator of herpetology at Riverbanks. “The decline in amphibian populations should be recognized as a potential indicator for the future of much of the world’s wildlife. At Riverbanks we are glad to have the ability and resources to elevate the awareness of this issue in our community." Riverbanks has teamed up with Peace Frogs and Aramark, the official retailer of Riverbanks, to offer fun prizes for the events. Riverbanks also will be offering a 30% discount on all amphibian merchandise located at the Land Rover in the Zoo's entry plaza. There will be a class held from 10am to noon at Riverbanks Botanical Garden that focuses on gardening for wildlife and how to create habitats and shelters for wildlife in your own backyard. The cost of the class is $15. For more information about any of the Leap Day activities being held at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, please contact Lindsay Burke at 803.779.8717 x1141 or lburke@riverbanks.org. NOTE*: Riverbanks is offering behind-the-scenes media tours of our breeding ponds to showcase our conservation efforts. Media will be able to see amphibians in larval stages as they are currently breeding. To set up a tour, please contact Lindsay Burke in advance.
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