You are invited to join us at Manchester Museum for music, drinks, speeches and the opportunity to meet amphibian specialists, as we celebrate the incredible conservation effort for one of the world’s rarest species – the Variable Harlequin Toad (Atelopus varius).
6 – 7pm Meet our curators and get close to amphibians and collections in Nature’s Library and the Vivarium
6.30 – 7pm Museum from Adrian Garcia’s Trio in Living Worlds
7 – 7.20pm Speeches in Living Worlds:
- Her Excellency Mrs Natalia Royo de Hagerman, Panamanian Ambassador to the UK
- Dr Luis Ureña, Director of Panama Wildlife Conservation Charity
- Esme Ward, Director of Manchester Museum
- Matthew O’Donnell, Curator of Herpetology, Manchester Museum
7.30 – 8.30pm Museum from Adrian Garcia’s Trio in Living Worlds
7.30 – 8.30pm Origami workshop and networking on the Top Floor
Variable harlequin toads are small in size but huge in significance. Originating from Panama and Costa Rica, their population has experienced drastic declines in recent years, and they are classed as critically endangered.
In 2019 we began recreating the exact conditions of the toad’s Panamanian habitat and in 2020, in a moment of triumph, the team found a cluster of eggs among the rocks in the tank. One of the world’s most endangered and beautiful toads had been successfully bred in Manchester Museum.
This success, and our brand-new exhibit of variable harlequin toads, is the result of an inspiring partnership project between Manchester Museum, the University of Manchester and Panama Wildlife Conservation charity. We look forward to launching the exhibit and celebrating the partnership and its ongoing commitment to conservation.
Find out about student opportunities at Manchester Museum on the Top Floor 7.30-8.30pm.
Find out more about Panama Wildlife Conservation Charity.