Deputy Director General of the Zoological Park Organisation Wisid Wichasilpa, said the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) were promoting this "2008 Year of the Frog" campaign after more than 40 per cent if frog species had become extinct due to global warming.

Wisid cited that 20 out of 50 species of frogs in Costa Rica alone were gone, affecting the biodiversity because these creatures helped keep nature balanced by eating insects.

With the sharp decline of frogs, insect numbers have increased and destroyed crops while frogeating animals like snakes and civets were also affected, he said.

The frog exhibition - which includes shows from a 'smart frog' named Nong Oui that can drive a toy motorbike and dance underwater - began yesterday at Bangkok's Dusit Zoo, which was also celebrating its 70th anniversary. Other frogs on view include the African Bull frog, the African Underwater Frog, the Argentinean Horned Frog, and the Albino Woodhouse Toad.

The exhibition will run until March 23 before moving to four other zoos.

Dusit Zoo will also be open in the evenings from 6pm to 9pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from March 21.

Tossaporn Wongwaikolayoot

Daily Xpress