A “Ribbeting” New Exhibit

by Noella Noelophile®

Aquarium of the Pacific is opening a brand-new exhibit!

And visitors may well leap at the opportunities it represents.

FROGS: Facing a Changing World opens tomorrow morning, Friday, May 24th, in Long Beach.   With 20 exhibits, it showcases more than 20 species of amphibians and reptiles from around the world.

“Not only does this exhibit showcase the amazing adaptations of amphibians, but also  the issues that they face, ” said Aquarium Manager of Conservation Initiatives Erin Lundy during Thursday morning’s press conference.  “(These include) destruction of habitat, wildlife trafficking and climate change.”

“We will also share what the Aquarium is doing to help these animals, and what our guests can do to help.”

Guests will get to observe, not only the frogs, toads, newts, salamanders and various other reptiles in the exhibits, but also, conditions under which they can thrive.

“In our Tropical Pacific Gallery, you can visit…a frog nursery,” Erin said.

“Our guests can watch us care for frogs, from eggs to adults.”

A global spectrum

Residents of the new exhibit represent countries from all over the world, she added.

“In this area of the new exhibit…you’ll also see animals from…Central America, South America, Vietnam, the Solomon Islands, Australia,  Madagascar and more.”

At least one of these, is an animal you’ve probably never seen before: the Panamanian golden frog.    The golden frog, Erin explained, is native to Panama–and is considered functionally extinct in the wild.

The new exhibit also showcases an endangered frog species, which Aquarium staff have been raising for release into the wild: the mountain yellow-legged frog, which is only found in one place in the world: California!

“Since 2021, (we’ve released more than 300 mountain yellow-legged frogs raised here) into local mountains to help re-establish their populations,” Erin said.

“When FROGS: Facing a Changing World” opens, it will actually be the first time that guests to the Aquarium will see mountain yellow-legged frogs.”

Conservation plus storytelling–and art

Erin said visitors to FROGS will get to see the new short film, “Saving Frogs”, which details the Aquarium’s efforts, in collaboration with their partners, to save the mountain yellow-legged frog.

They’ll also get to flex their own creativity–by getting to virtually “paint” a frog in the Aquarium’s new interactive space!

And, a special “spokesguest” will be on hand…

A word from Axl

…in fact, that guest made an appearance on Thursday.

Axl the axolotl, a whimsical puppet in keeping with the Aquarium’s approach to education with a “fun” element, took the stage for a brief discourse on the merits of amphibians.

“I may not be a frog, but..I am an amphibian,” Axl told the audience.

“And our new exhibit may say ‘FROGS’ in the title, but it’s also about salamanders, and newts, and other amphibians, and even reptiles.

“And the challenges Erin talked about, (affect) all of us.”

In effect, Axl reminded the audience that helping amphibians deal with a changing world, was an even exchange.

“(It’s also about) what amphibians can do for you,” he said.

“You all know that we amphibians eat bugs.  Have you ever considered what would happen if we didn’t eat bugs?  In particular, mosquitoes?”

Cleaner waterways, in addition to fewer disease-carrying insects, was another benefit he mentioned.

“So…  this summer, if you’re (at an outdoor event) and you happen to see a frog hop out and grab (a mosquito), don’t say, ‘Ewww’,” he counseled.

“Say, ‘Hey frog, thanks for coming to my party.  Next time bring your friends.'”

The real-life version

Axl will, in fact, be joined by fellow axolotl friends in the new exhibit.

“The Aquarium of the Pacific is part of the Southern California Wildlife Confiscations Network, ” Erin said.

This network, she continued, is a partnership between U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and nineteen animal-care partners in the Southern California region.   As part of the network, the Aquarium serves as a sanctuary for animals seized from wildlife traffickers.

In April of 2023, two juvenile axolotls arrived at the Aquarium after being confiscated by  California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The newly-rescued axolotls were in poor health.

“One of  (them) was actually missing its front limb,” Erin explained.

“…We spent a lot of time nursing these animals back to health, including constant monitoring, water changes and (daily hand-feeding).”

By summer, she said, the Aquarium staff had successfully restored the pair to good health.  They had grown back their legs and were living normal “axolotl lives”.

Guests, she said, will be able to see them when “FROGS: Facing a Changing World” opens.

Our role in conservation

Erin ended her presentation with a look at what the general public can do, to help amphibians as they face a changing world.

The starting point, she said, is research of a global issue.

“Amphibians face a particularly high illegal trade as pets,” Erin explained.

Prospective pet owners, she said, can help by checking the protected status of a species online, checking that animals are being bred responsibly and receiving  human care, and asking where the animals are coming from.

Erin concluded with the mission of the new exhibit.

“Through FROGS: Facing a Changing World” we hope that visitors will learn about the importance of these animals, and be inspired to join us in helping to protect them.”

Or, as Axl said before exiting the stage, supposedly in search of some juicy insects,

“United with nature, there is no limit to the beauty you can foster in this world.”

“FROGS: Facing a Changing World” opens at 10 am, Friday, May 24th at Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way in Long Beach.  Aquarium general operating hours are from 9 am to 6 pm,  with  extended hours from 9 am to 8 pm May 25th through 27th.  Additional special extended hours are  offered in June and July.   Reservations are required on weekends and holidays; here’s the link for information.