Women saving amphibians from extinction

Women saving amphibians from extinction

From The Conversation by BBC World Service

May 25, 2026 · 26 min

About this episode

The episode discusses efforts by environmentalists in India and South Africa to protect endangered amphibians.

Datshiane Navanayagam talks to Whitley Fund for Nature winners from India and South Africa who are protecting endangered frogs and salamanders. Dr Barkha Subba is leading the first grassroots protection for the Himalayan Salamander in Darjeeling. The scientific adviser at local NGO, Federation of Societies for Environmental Protection (FOSEP), Barkha is working to restore habitat, remove invasive species and screen for deadly diseases, as well as engage local people in awareness programmes promoting sustainable land use and eco-friendly tourism. Environmentalist Jeanne Tarrant works on protecting frogs and their habitat in South Africa. Almost two-thirds of the country’s 135 frog species are found nowhere else. She uses frogs as flagships for habitat protection, contributing to the broader conservation of freshwater and grassland areas that serve as important watersheds and carbon sinks. Produced by Jane Thurlow (Image: (L) Jeanne Tarrant, credit SABC. (R) Barkha Subba, credit Whitley Fund for Nature.)

People in this episode

Host: Datshiane Navanayagam

Guests: Dr Barkha Subba, Jeanne Tarrant

Topics covered

  • amphibian conservation
  • environmental protection
  • sustainable tourism
  • grassroots activism
  • biodiversity

Keywords

  • amphibians
  • conservation
  • frogs
  • salamanders
  • habitat restoration
  • environmental awareness
  • biodiversity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Whitley Fund for Nature, Federation of Societies for Environmental Protection (FOSEP)

Places: India, South Africa, Darjeeling

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