01-10-2005 Calling all frogs!

PRESS RELEASE:
CALLING ALL FROGS!

For immediate release:
October 1st 2005

Researchers at the world’s largest mystery animal research organisation hope that they will soon be able to solve one of the oldest puzzles of British zoology.

For the past two decades zoologists have noted that more and more colour variations of the British common frog (Rana temporaria) have been turning up in our garden ponds. They are often golden, or sunshine-yellow in colour. It has been suggested that these mutations are the result of global warming, pollution or other ecological stress factors. However, researchers at the Devon-based Centre for Fortean Zoology [CFZ] are intrigued by an old Devon folk story which suggests that these yellow amphibians have been around for a lot longer than industrial pollution – some 700 years, in fact!

CFZ Director Jonathan Downes (46) takes up the story:

“There is a charming medieval folk story of a poor woodcutter who lived with his family in the woods near what is now Bovey Tracey. One bitterly cold night, during the middle of a wild thunderstorm his only child was dying of an unspecified illness when there was a knock at the door.

"A beautiful lady, dressed in white and surrounded by an unearthly radiance was standing on his doorstep. He invited her in, gave her the best seat by the fire and the few scraps of food that they had. He used their last few sticks of firewood to feed the fire for her, and he gave her his warm, winter cloak to make her comfortable through the night.

"The next morning when the family awoke the storm was over, the sun was shining, and their child was miraculously cured but their mysterious guest had vanished leaving a note, which told them that henceforth their luck would change and they would become happy and prosperous. In order to remind them of her visit she had magically created a well in which golden frogs were swimming.

"The books of folklore go on to suggest that this was a visitation from the Virgin Mary, and note that "to this day there is a Mary Street in Bovey Tracey". They were unable, however to explain either the golden frogs or the mysterious stream.

A couple of years ago we discovered a holy well, half forgotten in a wall in Mary Street opposite Bovey Tracey Hospital, and almost simultaneously we began to receive reports of bright yellow and golden frogs from across the westcountry”.

Now, with help from the newest member of the CFZ team, David Phillips (13), who works with the CFZ every weekend, they hope to solve the mystery. David – a keen amateur photographer – is working with CFZ Assistant Director Mark North on setting up photo tanks, and together they will be collating the pictures, and they hope to eventually publish a book detailing the results of the project.

“It’s very exciting. We already have one picture of a golden frog which was taken in my home village of Woolsery”, says David. “We are hoping to collect a library of pictures of different coloured frogs from across the region.”

But the team also want to take the project further: “When we find some healthy yellow or golden specimens, we want to see if they breed true, with none of the signs of malformed tadpoles and infertile eggs that one would expect from a harmful mutation,” says Jonathan, adding that no animals will be harmed and that all the frogs will be released back into the wild.

The CFZ are hoping for YOUR help. Have you got unusually coloured frogs in your garden? Contact the CFZ on 01237 431413 and ask for Jon, Mark or David. They will be overjoyed to hear from you.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

+ The Centre for Fortean Zoology is a non profit-making organisation, which was founded in 1992. Over the last 11 years we have mounted expeditions to Central America, Thailand, Mexico, various parts of the United States, as well as numerous investigations in the UK. Further information on the CFZ can be found on their website www.cfz.org.uk.
+ C F Z director Jonathan Downes has written numerous books on the subject of mystery animals. The latest, entitled `Monster Hunter` is his long awaited autobiography.
+ The honorary life President of the Centre for Fortean Zoology is renowned explorer, author and soldier Colonel John Blashford-Snell OBE, best known for his pioneering Operation Drake and Operation Raleigh expeditions during the 1970s.
+ The CFZ is looking for corporate and private sponsors
+ Pictures to accompany this story are available on request