Endangered Frogs Find Their Noah

Half of all frog species are in danger of extinction, and conservationists are taking a page from the Bible in working to preserve them. A program called Amphibian Ark has named 2008 the Year of the Frog, and is working with zoos to harbor endangered species, including some that have vanished from the wild. The goal is to breed enough to revitalize the populations, reports the Washington Post.

"In terms of scope, I think this is the biggest conservation project that humanity has ever tried to tackle," said Amphibian Ark's director. The frogs, and their toad and salamander cousins, face myriad perils: climate change, destruction or splitting of their habitats, poisoning from pesticides in runoff water, and a skin fungus that interferes with their breathing. (More frogs stories.)