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One of the most popular and distinctive of all the Museum’s galleries, the Vivarium is dedicated to the conservation of reptiles and amphibians. It is home to many species of frogs, reptiles and lizards from South America, Australia and Madagascar, allowing visitors to experience the thrill of a first-hand encounter with some of the rarest creatures on the planet. The Museum is one of
the very few that boasts a comprehensive collection of live reptiles on display and which also plays a leading role in the conservation of some of the world’s most endangered amphibians. Visitors to the newly redeveloped Vivarium (which opened in autumn 2013) can find better displays, enhanced interpretation and most significantly are able to see more of the important conservation work that usually takes place behind the scenes. The Vivarium and its staff play a pioneering role in protecting critically endangered species. For example, the Museum is part of a consortium of institutions worldwide that are carrying out essential work in Europe and Costa Rica in an effort to save one very rare amphibian - the Lemur Leaf Frog (Agalychnis lemur). Within Costa Rica, this small frog is found only in one last remaining area. As well as supporting the frog’s survival in the wild, Manchester Museum are responsible for establishing the international captive breeding programme for the species to ensure its long-term survival.
Andrew Gray, who’s worked at the Manchester Museum for the past 27 years, is moving on. Check out this short film by Mathilda Nyqvist to find out about Andrews' journey at the vivarium and plans for the future 🐸
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agDuWCjyIsg
Andrew Gray, who has worked at the Manchester Museum for the past 27 years, is moving on. During his time as Curator of Herpetology he designed and established The Vivarium on our second floor, a purpose-built amphibian captive breeding facility and public gallery dedicated to highlighting and supporting amphibian conservation. Whilst at the museum he’s also been instrumental in establishing several student field courses in the tropics for the University of Manchester, re-discovering frogs thought to be extinct, and described new species to science. He’s championed critically endangered frogs and raised awareness of the plight of amphibians through continually developing the museum’s live animal displays and devotedly furthering meaningful related engagement work.
The museum, which will re-open in February 2023, will open its doors to some stunning new vivarium developments that Andrew and his team have been painstakingly completing - including a spectacular Harlequin Toad (Atelopus varius) exhibit which authentically replicates their specific habitat within the Santa Fe National Park, Panama, alongside a new display highlighting the teams’ conservation research contributions.
Andrew specialises in Central American species, particularly phyllomedusine frogs of the genus Cruziohyla, for which he has an international reputation. However, he is also well known for his important environmental education work and committed in-situ conservation efforts. His contributions have been recognised with many awards and although he’s decided it is now time to leave the museum he’s recently been awarded an Honorary Senior Lectureship in teaching and research within the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health at the University of Manchester. Andrew’s research goes from strength to strength, and he assures us he will continue working hard connecting people with nature, especially with amphibians, for life.
On the 18th June, Vivarium Curator, Andrew Gray will be taking part in the Lake District Mighty Hike to raise much needed funds for the Macmillan Cancer Charity.
This is a charity close to Andrews heart as he will be walking in honour of his grandmother, Greta Massey. If you would like to support his 26 mile hike it would be very much appreciated.
Fundraiser - https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/andrewrgray
Frog blog - https://frogblogmanchester.com/2022/06/02/lakeland-walk/
Audio visual artist and performer Ruby Tingle is presenting her new work at the Warrington Museum & Art Gallery!
Ruby is an award winning multidisciplinary artist working with progressive electronica in Manchester, represented by No Such Thing Records and PAPER Gallery Manchester. She is also one half of cinematic bass act Dirty Freud with whom she performed and headlined stages at Glastonbury.
Ruby is also releasing her first solo EP Lagoons, in conjunction with her public gallery exhibition at Warrington Museum. The tracks are inspired by the Museum’s collection of amphibians and reptiles, and the artist’s lifelong connection with these animals throughout her own emotional experiences. Her music mixes natural sound processes and high range celestial vocals to compose original and dreamy, experimental “music from the swamp”.
Ruby’s exhibition runs until Sunday 26th June, 2022, and we are pleased to be supporting the opening of the exhibition with some family-focused engagement sessions delivered by Matt, which will include an opportunity to see first-hand a selection of live amphibians and reptiles from Manchester Museum’s Vivarium!
Audio visual artist and performer Ruby Tingle is presenting her new work at the Warrington Museum & Art Gallery from the end of this month. Ruby’s practice is primarily concerned with the recon…
Here is Dr Eric Flores explaining more about our collaborative project with the Panama Wildlife Conservation Charity. Harlequin toads are one of the most highly endangered groups of amphibians on the planet. The population of Atelopus varius from Santa Fe are unique and only occur in Panama.
Frogs & Friends – virtual visit behind the scenes at Manchester Museum's Vivarium, part of National Lottery Open Week - 26th March 11:00am
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/frogs-friends-manchester-museum-made-to-measure-taster-tickets-267711471217
Frogs & Friends – virtual visit to Manchester Museum's Vivarium part of National Lottery Open Week - Thank You to National Lottery Players
Read our latest blog post where vivarium volunteer and Biology student Alice, shares her experience at COP26.
Climate protest outside Town Hall Hi everyone! I’m Alice, a Biology student at the University of Sheffield and a volunteer at the Vivarium in my spare time. This year, I was chosen by the Students …
Veganuary for the frogs! Take a look at our latest blog post and find out how our diet can effect frogs across the globe!
Many of you will be aware of the phenomenon – Veganuary, launched in 2014. A very successful campaign to promote veganism, this year it is expected that 2 million people will take the pledge …
Meet the scientist...
BBC Wildlife Magazine has featured Curator of Herpetology, Andrew Gray in thier meet the scientist series! Find out his favourite part of the job, and his advice for aspiring herpetologists...
https://frogblogmanchester.com/2021/12/03/what-we-do-in-life/
meet-the-scientist-bbc-wildlife-magazine-2021Download CONSERVATION CAREERS – ZOOLOGY
The University Of Salford's Living Lab is a fantastic example of an urban green space. Launched in June 2021, this transformation has turned a somewhat unassuming site into a marvellous and thriving ecosystem in the heart of Greater Manchester.
Through combining technology and nature in really innovative ways, Salford University has bloomed into life becoming a living model to measure the impact of works of this kind. The Living Lab, however, is only one component of a large ambitious new initiative led by the
Manchester Combined Authority, the Ignition Project.
Read the full blog post at: https://frogblogmanchester.com/.../ignition-in-greater.../
📸 Matthew O'Donnell - Green wall with biodiversity enhancing planting
Did you catch Curator of Herpetology, Andrew Gray on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this week?
He gave Nick Robinson a glimpse behind the scenes, talking about the vivarium and the critically endangered Atelopus varius.
Find it here - from 1h44m - bbc.in/3BojF2v
The newest blog post is all about otters! Here I share a little about my voluntary work with the IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group and how the organisation is helping otters around the world.
Whilst working with a pair of Asian small clawed otters (Aonyx cinereus) for four years previous to my work here at the vivarium, I developed a keen interest and a soft spot for the species, so whe…
Last week Manchester Museum closed its doors and will remain closed until late 2022. It’s a major development for us but we will open with a larger, more inspirational, and even more inclusive museum than ever...
Last week Manchester Museum closed its doors and will remain closed until late 2022. It’s a major development for us but we will open with a larger, more inspirational, and even more inclusiv…
Reintroducing lost pine martens and harlequin frogs…🐸
Manchester vivarium has been featured in BBC Earths Creating Wild series, taking a look at reintroductions of wildlife to places where it has been lost, an approach known as re-wilding, which allows nature’s natural processes to repair damaged habitats.
You can watch the short film at: https://fb.watch/7KkedyNr72/
Find out about the hazel dormouse reintroduction project currently ongoing in the Arnside and Silverdale AONB and how I have been able to lend a hand with the support of Manchester museum! 🐭
The project is a collaboration between the People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), Natural England, Morecambe bay partnership and the University of Cumbria’s Back on our Map project
Dormouse on release day : Clare Pengelly The hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) is an arboreal species of mouse which is golden brown in appearance with a feathery tail and is native to the …
Check out Manchester TV's exclusive interview with Andrew Gray and meet 'Manchester's tadpoles'!
New collaborative research led by Manchester Museum has resulted in the first scientific description of an extremely rare tadpole. Less than 50 adult specimens of the Cruziohyla calcarifer, also known as the Splendid Tree Frog or Leaf Frog, have ever been found and four of its tadpoles are curren...
Following detailed research and the first captive breeding of the species in captivity we are able to detail the species’ breeding biology and tadpole for the very first time!
We can now share with you the resulting paper published in the British Herpetological Society’s Journal of Herpetology, a collaboration between Andrew Gray, Konstantin Taupp, and Loic Denes.
I would like to share with you about a special frog that’s very close to my heart.. Cruziohyla calcarifer, the original Splendid Leaf Frog, which originates from Ecuador was first discovered …
This weeks 60 second species is the yellow eyed tree frog!
Join the Vivarium Team every week and discover the fascinating natural habitats of a range of animal and plant species. Find out more about the Vivarium's wo...
Meet the eyelash viper in this weeks 60 second species! 🐍
Join the Vivarium Team every week and discover the fascinating natural habitats of a range of animal and plant species. Find out more about the Vivarium's wo...
Meet the field vole in this weeks 60 second species!
Join the Vivarium Team every week and discover the fascinating natural habitats of a range of animal and plant species.Find out more about the Vivarium's wor...
Meet the white legged snake millipede! An interesting little critter you might be able to find in your own garden!
During the 60 second species series so far we have featured many exotic species, encountered during field work and travels.
We are now in the process of producing some videos of our beautiful and often overlooked native flora and fauna!
If you have a keen eye for wildlife and want to learn more about some of the species on our doorsteps (as well as around the world), please head over to our site to catch a new video uploaded every Wednesday!
Join the Vivarium Team every week and discover the fascinating natural habitats of a range of animal and plant species.Find out more about the Vivarium's wor...
Lewis, one of our vivarium volunteers is completing his final year as a zoology student at the University of Manchester!
The focus of his final year university project is on the Harlequin toad and the success of the Atelopus project at the vivarium.
Lewis' project aims to see how effective comic-assisted e-learning is at explaining a scientific subject- the subject being captive breeding programmes.
You can help Lewis by checking out his comic and taking part in the survey by following the link below 🐸
Hello to all frog blog visitors! My name is Lewis, a final year zoology student at the University of Manchester and a volunteer here at the Vivarium. Like many of you, I have been counting do…
Meet the common frog in this weeks 60 second species! Found in Salford, this week we meet a species you may be able to spot in your own gardens, local parks and wild spaces! 🐸
Join the Vivarium Team every week and discover the fascinating natural habitats of a range of animal and plant species.Find out more about the Vivarium's wor...
The Manchester Museum is very well known for its Taxidermy, and is now pleased to be involved with.. Wulydermy. Louise Worthington, the founder of Wulydermy, has been so inspired by our recent Santa Fe Harlequin Toad Breeding that she has been working on a new project – you guessed it, producing a beautiful felted Harlequin Toad!
Not only has Louise made some fabulous felted tropical toads to add to her collection but has very kindly made available a step by step set of instructions for you to easily make your own. All profits from this set of instructions will be donated directly to the Panama Wildlife Conservation Charity (PWCC) and we are very grateful to Louise for all her support.
To download your set of instructions, head over to https://www.wulydermy.co.uk/product/harlequin-toad-instructions-pdf-download/
Meet the four-lined rat snake in this weeks 60 second species!🐍
This is "Four-lined Rat Snake.mp4" by Andrew Gray on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
Although we are not able to reopen just yet, over the coming weeks we will continue to connect, inspire and spark joy & wonder, sharing activities & content from our collection. Keep exploring www.mmfromhome.com ✨
Stay safe and thank you for your support.
Watch Manchester Museum’s Curator of Herpetology Andrew Gray and Curatorial Assistant in Herpetology Matthew O’Donnell in conversation with Dr Luis Urena and Dr Eric Flores of Panama Wildlife Conservation (PWCC) as they explore the work of conservationists and researchers fighting to protect Panama’s unique biodiversity.
For anybody who missed our live webinar on World Wildlife Day you can watch the recorded session! 🐸
Watch Manchester Museum’s Curator of Herpetology Andrew Gray and Curatorial Assistant in Herpetology Matthew O’Donnell in conversation with Dr Luis Urena and...
To draw Science week to a close, why not check out the story of the Sylvia's tree frog, and how science led to this species discovery and description 🐸
The discovery of Cruziohyla sylviae
Meet the tent bat on this weeks 60 Second Species! 🦇
This is "SSS- Tent Bat.mp4" by Andrew Gray on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
60 Second Species!
Join the Vivarium Team every week and discover the fascinating natural habitats of a range of animal and plant species. 🐸🐍🦎🌿
Join the Vivarium Team every week and discover the fascinating natural habitats of a range of animal and plant species.Find out more about the Vivarium's wor...
British Science Week runs from 5th March and we are very pleased to support this fundamental initiative! Learn a little about the story of Sylvia's tree frog (Cruziohyla sylviae) in the video below.
Andrew Gray, Curator of Herpetology at Manchester Museum, shows Sylvia's Tree Frog for British Science week 2021
In occasion of World Wildlife Day 2021 Manchester Museum has commissioned Mexican musician Francisco 'Drilo' Lozano to compose and perform in an exclusive premiere, the Cruziohyla sylviae piece. The work animated by Shafia Fiaz, celebrates the frog species identified by Manchester Museum
In occasion of World Wildlife Day 2021 Manchester Museum has commissioned Mexican musician Francisco 'Drilo' Lozano to compose and perform in an exclusive pr...
The variable harlequin toad is a critically endangered species on the brink of extinction.
The vivarium house the only captive population of this species outside of their native Panama and we are delighted to announce the successful breeding of this species here at the vivarium!
This population and future generations will become a captive 'safety net' for the species, ensuring they never become extinct in the future 💚
Check out the video linked for more details on the success story!
Have you ever wondered...
Why is biodiversity important?
How can protecting endangered species also provide opportunities for local communities?
What do conservationists do?
Join us & Panama Wildlife Conservation and have your questions answered.
BOOK NOW bit.ly/2Phh7Rk
Successful wildlife conservation requires collaboration and specialised knowledge. Manchester Museum & Panama Wildlife Conservation Charity have developed a project that helps conserve endangered species, ecosystems & support local communities.
Find out more at the LIVE webinar.
Book 👉 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/collaborative-conservation-world-wildlife-day-2021-tickets-143057903039
🐸 The Harlequin Toad Conservation project in Panama runs education workshops in local community schools in Santa Fe, an annual local Harlequin Toad Festival and fully involves members of the local community in conservation research.
Find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev7oLGHq4es
Panama Wildlife Conservation Charity is a non-profit organisation run entirely on private donations & grants. Supporting & developing conservation projects is expensive and challenging and every little help makes a difference. 💚
SUPPORT THEM : http://rb.gy/dbwcao
If you're missing your regular visit to the Vivarium, or perhaps you have never had the opportunity to visit us, you can now do so virtually – from the comfort of your sofa!
Boost3D Multimedia Enhanced 3D Tour
A female strawberry poison frog transporting her tadpole to a bromeliad pool!
Each of her tadpoles will be transported to their own small pool and the female will return frequently to deposit unfertilised eggs for the tadpoles to feed on.
https://frogblogmanchester.com/2020/05/13/preview-frog-friday-live-4/
Tune in this Friday – 15th of May, for our latest instalment of Frog Friday Live from Manchester Museum, live at 1pm on our Twitter and Periscope channels. Watch the video below for a highlig…
**March 8th talk**
Andrew Gray, Curator of Herpetology at The Manchester Museum, will present a 3 hour talk on his amphibian conservation work. Drawing on his wealth of experience working with neotropical amphibians in the field and in captivity, Andrew's presentation will cover many aspects of conservation, including captive husbandry, research and education. It will detail his personal experiences working to conserve some of the world's most Critically Endangered species and offer those attending the talk the rare opportunity to see some live specimens of the species concerned.
This will also be the first opportunity to see the 3 species of cruziohlya outside of Manchester Museum - including the newly described Sylvia’s leaf frog (Cruziohyla sylviae).
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Have you ever wondered... Why is biodiversity important? How can protecting endangered species also provide opportunities for local communities? What do conservationists do? Join us & Panama Wildlife Conservation and have your questions answered. BOOK NOW bit.ly/2Phh7Rk #homeschooling
