Corporate Social Responsibility Press Release
provided by 
11.19.2008 - 05:23pm ET
News from:
The Clorox Company
Clorox Partners With Animal Planet to Introduce "The Vanishing Frog"
Documentary Raises Awareness of Deadly Fungus Behind Amphibian Extinction Crisis
(CSRwire) OAKLAND, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) - November 19, 2008 - As part of its ongoing
support of the "Year of the Frog," a global initiative to raise public
awareness and funds to help avert the pending amphibian crisis, The
Clorox Company (NYSE: CLX) has joined forces with Animal Planet to
introduce a new multimedia project called THE VANISHING FROG.
From the forests of Puerto Rico to the jungles of Central America to the
high Sierras of the American West, the world's frogs are mysteriously
vanishing. Experts believe that as many as one-third to one-half of the
planet's 5,743 known amphibian species are in danger of disappearing --
victims of the most significant mass extinction since the dinosaurs. THE
VANISHING FROG sends wildlife biologist Jeff Corwin on an international
mission to uncover clues about the frogs' deadly plight. The documentary
premieres Thursday, November 20 at 8 PM (ET/PT) on Animal Planet.
"Frogs are incredibly amazing creatures with a variety of astonishing
skills and innate abilities," says Corwin. "Frogs have been with us since
before the dinosaurs; they are a critical part of the ecosystem and now
they are disappearing. They have the uncanny ability to adapt to almost
any environment, which has enabled them to colonize every piece of land in
the world except Antarctica and Iceland, but now face their greatest
challenge."
While habitat destruction is a leading cause of extinction, the deadly
fungus known as chytrid is currently unstoppable and untreatable in the
wild, where it can kill 80 percent of the native amphibians within months.
Currently, the only way to save frogs from the chytrid fungus is to rescue
them from the wild and take them into protective custody. Frogs that are
rescued are treated with anti-fungal chemicals to combat the chytrid.
Anything else that has contacted water during the rescue -- from boots and
clothing to instruments and transport containers -- is treated with a
bleach solution to help control the spread of fungus to new,
uncontaminated areas.
As part of its involvement with the amphibian conservation efforts, The
Clorox Company, whose namesake bleach is used in the field everyday in the
battle to save the frogs, became the first corporate sponsor of the "Year
of the Frog" and signed on to THE VANISHING FROG project while it was
still in development. Clorox also is donating supplies of Clorox(R)
Regular-Bleach to conservation efforts and providing funding to complete
the construction of a visitors and education center at the El Valle
Amphibian Conservation Center in Panama, a project designed to help save
amphibians that are disappearing in the wild.
"Through the dedication of so many, dozens of amphibian species could be
saved from immediate extinction," says Benno Dorer, Clorox, vice president
and general manager, Cleaning Division. "We are honored to be able to
help."
Conservation biologists refer to amphibians as "the canaries in the coal
mine" -- they are among the first species to be affected by environmental
stressors, so when they show declines in the wild, it serves as a warning
to other species, including humans. Amphibians -- frogs, toads,
salamanders, newts and caecilians -- are vital members of a delicate
ecosystem as well as important environmental indicators and contributors
to human health and wellness.
For more information about what can be done to help eradicate the
amphibian extinction crisis, visit www.savethefrog.com.
About The Clorox Company
The Clorox Company is a leading manufacturer and marketer of consumer
products with fiscal year 2008 revenues of $5.3 billion. Clorox markets
some of consumers' most trusted and recognized brand names, including its
namesake bleach and cleaning products, Green Works(TM) natural cleaners,
Armor All(R) and STP(R) auto-care products, Fresh Step(R) and Scoop
Away(R) cat litter, Kingsford(R) charcoal, Hidden Valley(R) and K C
Masterpiece(R) dressings and sauces, Brita(R) water-filtration systems,
Glad(R) bags, wraps and containers, and Burt's Bees(R) natural personal
care products. With approximately 8,300 employees worldwide, the company
manufactures products in more than two dozen countries and markets them in
more than 100 countries. Clorox is committed to making a positive
difference in the communities where its employees work and live. Founded
in 1980, The Clorox Company Foundation has awarded cash grants totaling
more than $73.4 million to nonprofit organizations, schools and colleges.
In fiscal 2008 alone, the foundation awarded $3.7 million in cash grants,
and Clorox made product donations valued at $5.3 million. For more
information about Clorox, visit www.TheCloroxCompany.com.
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For more information please contact:
Alison Liebich
415.839.8739
News Categories:
Sustainability and Environment
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