Seychelles frog (Sooglossus sechellensis)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 0925406

Mission: Nature Protection Trust of Seychelles works to conserve the biodiversity of the Seychelles islands through research and conservation on species and habitats. Objectives: NPTS is dedicated to furthering the conservation of nature in the Seychelles islands, through informed scientific research to conserve species by conserving their habitats. Fulfilling its aim of promoting education, study and research in all fields of natural history the NPTS publishes an annual scientific journal, “Phelsuma”, covering all aspects of biology in the western Indian Ocean. "Birdwatch" is a quarterly publication containing natural history news and anecdotes from most of the island reserves. Our conservation projects are based on informed scientific research which aims to protect species by protecting their habitats. Date of establishment: 1992, registered under Seychelles law as a non-profit-making, non-governmental organisation Geographical area: Seychelles islands, with a special focus on Silhouette island Target species and habitats: Seychelles Giant Tortoises, Dipsochleys spp. – captive breeding and reintroduction of two giant tortoise species, first releases occurred in 2006. Seychelles Terrapins, Pelusios spp. – captive breeding and ecological research on two Critically Endangered terrapin species. Seychelles sheath-tailed bat Coleura seychellensis – conservation of the largest roost of this Critically Endangered species since 1997. This has achieved population growth on Silhouette island from 18 bats to 37. Management of the Mahé population is planned for 2009-10. Amphibians and reptiles – evaluation of threats facing endemic reptiles and amphibians, with special attention to climate change. Plant conservation – research and habitat management, with active propagation of several species, including Impatiens gordonii, Carissa edulis, Mimusops coriacea, Rothmannia annae and Grisollea thomasseti. Indian Ocean Biodiversity Assessment 2000-2005 – assessment of the taxonomy and current status of all animal, plant and fungal species on all 115 of the Seychelles islands. This is producing taxonomic revisions of all species and Red Listing of all endemic and indigenous species. Silhouette Conservation Project – conservation management of the third largest of the Seychelles islands and the most important biodiversity hotspot in the islands.