National Zoo to breed giant salamanders from Japan

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Zoo is opening a breeding center for Japanese giant salamanders as part of an effort to save amphibians from a deadly fungus that’s quickly spreading.

The zoo’s long-term breeding program opening Thursday will be the first time the species that grows up to 5 feet long has been bred outside of Japan in more than 100 years.

The City of Hiroshima Asa Zoological Park is donating the Japanese giant salamanders to the Smithsonian’s zoo in Washington.

The salamanders are listed as “near threatened” by conservation groups.

Zoo scientists hope to learn more about the chytrid (KIH’-trid) fungus that is deadly for some amphibian species but does not seem to be killing these salamanders. Scientists will study their immunity to try to save other amphibians around the world.

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