The Princess and the Frog at Shuttleworth College

Katie tries magic dust on African Bullfrog as Carl keeps the creature from hopping it !

As the Princess and the Frog magical animated Disney film shows to packed cinemas, a frog that needs the magic of conservation takes centre stage at Shuttleworth College.

Poison dart frogs have arrived at Shuttleworth College and will be part of a world-wide conservation and breeding programme. The frogs are under threat of extinction in the tropical rainforests of Central America and the work at Shuttleworth will be a crucial part of their survival.

Carl Groombridge, Animal Unit Manager, at Shuttleworth College explained:

"Our students will gain invaluable experience from working with this endangered species of amphibian. They will learn about conservation and the fact that amphibians are under threat from global warming, and a global virus that is adding to the urgency of conservation.

"Our breeding programme aims to maintain this species for future generations and ultimately to release them back into the tropical rainforests of Central America.

"Part of the conservation and breeding programme for students means learning about the flora and fauna that are essential to the survival of these frogs and recreating their habitat here in Bedfordshire.”

The Animal Care Centre is home to just about every family of species in the world. and habitats include a tropical rainforest setting where recorded sounds of the forest give an added dimension to the environment.

Students go to Shuttleworth to learn about animal husbandry, how to create and build habitats from scratch to meet wildlife standards and to develop breeding programmes. The aim is to give students a taste of all aspects of animal welfare and management in preparation for careers from practical hands-on jobs to highly academic research and scientific opportunities, including animal conservation programmes across the world.

Editors' notes

1. Poison dart frog is the common name of a group of frogs in the family Dendrobatidae which are native to Central America. Unlike most frogs, these species are active during the day and often exhibit brightly-colored bodies. Although all wild dendrobatids are at least somewhat toxic, levels of toxicity vary considerably from one species to the next and from one population to another. Many species are critically endangered. These amphibians are often called "dart frogs" due to indigenous Amerindians use of their toxic secretions to poison the tips of blowdarts.

2. Shuttleworth College in Central Bedfordshire became part of Beacon Status and outstanding Ofsted winner Bedford College on 7 August 2009.

3. Issued by Manners PR for Bedford College.

4. For more info contact Sue Gough at Manners PR on 07921 514 940.

5. Photographs available.

6. For more about Bedford College see www.bedford.ac.uk