How a multi-nation effort has protected North American amphibians from a deadly disease outbreak

Scientists described Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) over 10 years ago, a pathogen that causes the deadly disease chytridiomycosis which is currently devastating salamanders and frogs around the world, contributing to a global amphibian decline.

But thanks to a successful cross border (U.S., Mexico & Canada) effort to keep it out, it has yet to arrive in North America: the Bsal Task Force is made up of scientists from each nation using education, outreach, science and policy to keep the disease from reaching the continent.

Founding task force co-chair Deanna Olson of the U.S. Forest Service joins the podcast to discuss its successes, lessons learned that can help managers prevent other wildlife disease outbreaks, and the challenges that lie ahead.

To learn more about Bsal and the task force, please see Mongabay's six-part podcast series, published in 2020 on Mongabay Explores:

Podcast: International task force unites North America to protect salamander diversity

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Image: A fire salamander in Normandy, France. Image by William Warby viaCreative Commons license.

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Timecodes

(00:00) Introduction

(03:05) What is Bsal?

(05:57) The Bsal Task Force Assembles

(08:02) On the Hunt for a Silent Killer

(17:49) The Team Behind the Scene

(21:36) Lessons Learned and Broader Implications

(25:30) Community Involvement and Cultural Significance

(29:08) Policy Gaps and Biosecurity Challenges

(40:56) Scientific Innovations and Experimental Approaches

(48:14) Not "If" But "When"

(50:58) Credits