The tiny Panamanian golden frog, with its sunflower yellow skin and dark brown spots, is usually a symbol of good fortune.
But it appears the tropical frog's luck may have run out unless experts find a way to combat a deadly fungus threatening amphibian populations around the world.
"This is not a natural extinction event," said Allan Pessier, a scientist from San Diego Conservation Research, which has been researching the spread of the chytrid fungus. "It is caused by humans, and it is our responsibility - almost our moral responsibility - to do something about it."
Twenty-five of the world's leading amphibian veterinarians, disease researchers and animal care specialists convened this week at the San Diego Zoo to write a definitive conservation manual to combat the spread of chytrid fungus.
Central America, South America and Australia are some of the regions most affected by chytrid fungus, Pessier said. Some North American ...