We need your help!
Spring is here and amphibians all across the state making their way to their breeding grounds. Unfortunately, there are two emergent diseases, chytridiomycosis and Ranavirus, that have caused devastating declines in amphibian populations worldwide. New Jersey is not exempt – there have been confirmed cases of both here in the Garden State. CWF, the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife, and Montclair State University, are working together to track the occurrences of these diseases in the state and are seeking information about any potential outbreaks.
If you see any wild amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders, newts), or even reptiles, that appear to be acting abnormally or have visible lesions on them, or if you witness any mass die-offsk, we ask you to please report them to us. This includes tadpoles, which are the main target of some strains of Ranavirus. Please e-mail us and describe your observations (photos are helpful); do not send samples without first contacting us.
Please contact either:
Lisa Hazard (hazardl@mail.montclair.edu) OR Kirsten Monsen-Collar (monsenk@mail.montclair.edu)
Department of Biology and Molecular Biology, Montclair State University