This project involved the selective breeding of frogs from the Hymenochirus family, located in the Congo. There, biodiversity is threatened by forest clearing and increased demand for wood. Also, political turmoil in Congo has limited biological studies and conservation efforts. In their native habitat, wild Hymenochirus populations may currently be in decline or have become extinct.
Working with many varieties of frog from the genus Hymenochirus, I attempted to selectively breed generations to create a “wild type” Hymenochirus curtipes. From each group, frogs with physical traits that recalled the wild types were chosen and bred until they resembled the wild type from the early 20th century.
Each animal is a living work of art. These photographs tell the project’s story.
Project Credits
Technical and theoretical support:
- George Rabb and staff, Chicago Zoological Park (USA)
- Lawrence Wallace, Herpetological Department
- Carolina Biological Supply (USA)
- David Cecere, The African Dwarf Frog Educational Website (USA)
- The Department of Zoology, University of Dar es Salaam (TZ)
- The Herpetological Department, The Bronx Zoo (USA)
- Stanley K. Sessions and students, Biology Department, Hartwick College (USA)
- Peter Warny, The New York State Museum (USA)
- Declining Amphibian Population Task Force, The Open University (UK)
- Courtesy of the artist and Ronald Feldman Fine Arts, NY, NY.
Biography:
Brandon Ballengée is an artist, biologist and environmental educator. Ballengée creates transdisciplinary works of art by means of laboratory research, focusing his work on humans and non-humans affected by the Anthropocene.
More information: https://brandonballengee.com/
