A fungal disease is decimating amphibian populations around the world, and so far the only way to save a species at risk is to remove individuals from the wild. Is it time to try taking out the disease as well?rnSo far the majority of amphibian conservation efforts have focused on identifying species at high risk of extinction, and establishing captive breeding programmes in biosecure units where they will be protected from Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the chytrid fungus that is responsible for the devastating scourge.rn"The immediate response has been the right one: to get species that are at risk into captivity," says Trent Garner of the Institute of Zoology in London. However, he adds, "we're potentially missing out on some very important species" because, inevitably, some are prioritised over others.
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