Detroit Zoo Releases 2,000 Puerto Rican Crested Toads

ROYAL OAK, Mich., June 27, 2008 – In 2008 Year of the Frog, the Detroit Zoo continues to be a leader among U.S. zoos in the conservation of endangered amphibians. Its most recent success is the breeding and release of 2,000 Puerto Rican crested toad tadpoles into the wild.

The Zoo has been working to preserve the critically endangered Puerto Rican crested toad (Bufo lemur) since 1999. The tadpoles were released in Gabia, Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, where last year’s tadpoles are now thriving.

“We’re very excited about placing zoo-born animals back into the wild,” said Associate Curator of Amphibians Becky Johnson. “We are delivering on our mission of celebrating and saving wildlife by helping to establish a new population of amphibians in their natural environment.”

In addition, the Detroit Zoo has launched another successful breeding season for the federally endangered Wyoming toad, recently sending 17 newly metamorphosed toadlets and 52 tadpoles back to Wyoming for release into the Laramie River Basin.

The Wyoming toad (Bufo baxteri) was listed as extinct in the wild in 1994. The Zoo has been successfully producing healthy toadlets since 1997, and its breeding program for the species was No. 1 on the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) list of the Top 10 wildlife conservation success stories for 2007.

Also, the Detroit Zoo has successfully bred the endangered Texas blind salamander (Eurycea rathbuni) for the sixth time since 2000. The Zoo is one of only three institutions in North America to house the species, which is found in the wild only in San Marcos, Texas. As the name suggests, the cave-dwelling amphibian lacks functioning eyes.

More than a third of the planet’s 6,000 amphibian species are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss, climate change, pollution, pesticides, introduced species, over-collection and infectious diseases.

Year of the Frog is a global public awareness campaign to focus attention on endangered amphibians and the critical work being done by zoos and aquariums to save them. The Detroit Zoological Society is supporting the worldwide initiative with special events, fundraising activities, educational opportunities and community outreach efforts throughout the year.

The Detroit Zoo is home to the nationally award-winning National Amphibian Conservation Center (NACC), a state-of-the-art facility situated on a two-acre wetland village called Amphibiville. The NACC features a spectacular diversity of amphibians, including frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and caecilians. The Wall Street Journal once dubbed the attraction “Disneyland for toads.”

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo. Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak. The Detroit Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October (open at 9:30 a.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day) – with extended hours until 8 p.m. Wednesdays during July and August – and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March. Admission is $11 for adults 13 to 61, $9 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7 for children ages 2 to 12; children under 2 are free. For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org. The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks. For more information, call (313) 852-4056.

Source: Detroit Zoo.org

Photo Courtesy of Dr Paddy Ryan Contents

Attached Images

 

Socalsam

This is so cool! I hope those tads make it! My sister volunteers at the San Diego ZOO and Wild Animal park. I think she is doing something like this. I don't know if its with frogs but I know she is doing something to reintroduce an endangered species back into the wild. I am so proud of her. Anyways Major Kudos to the Detroit Zoo.

__________________
A few frogs.

atlfrog

They do this in various places around the world. There is one country that setups up tubs covered in chicken wire where "Dart Frog" like frogs can climb into and breed in. Scientists come back and check on them and check for progress. It's amazing and I truly believe that it does help. If I can find the video on this or at least the story I will post it.

I forgot to mention that they bring tadpoles to the tubs to develop as well.

__________________
Merek Matthew Cardew :: ATLFROG.com
HTTP://www.blogtalkradio.com/reptilian-fish

socaled

I wish san diego zoo has a better selection of dart frogs they only had a few frogs and to tell you the truth I've seen members on this forum's tanks look better... But good on the detroit zoo for doing their part.

-Angeles

atlfrog

I know this is going to rub people the wrong way but sometimes there are zoos etc, no zoos in mind, don't have the cash or time to setup elaborate displays. And on the other hand any extra funding coming from doing "Dart Frog" or amphibian research can help support other aspects of the zoo. So it's a catch 22! Right now everyone is slowly getting into Dart Frogs, in my opinion, because of the mass promotion of the scare and reality of Chytrid and Amphibian Conservation. So any and all efforts is all that matters. I give it some time and you'll see more and more institutions fall into place. We have to remember Zoos, etc. are still a business. They want to help protect the species of the world, but they can't do it on Federal and State Funding alone. So they have to attract us to go to them and spend money. I have seen a boost in Dart Frog displays and an interest to buy and own them here in Atlanta as well as see them more and more in pet stores. 4 years ago no one had them. I should know I called 40 stores and they said they couldn't get them or if I wanted them I would have to pay some ridiculous price (Adding new blood to the breeding stocks is important.). So time will tell, as the pet industry has its ups and downs and old trends and new trends. Dart Frogs is a relatively new trend although it has been around for over 10+ years.

PS: If you are ever in the area. The Atlanta Botanical gardens here in Atlanta has an amazing setup. Right before you walk into their elaborate green houses they have several awesome tank displays up and when you do go in 3 out of 4 green houses are littered with free dart frogs. ABG is one of the leading Amphibian Conservation leaders in the US so it is amazing to see all these animals free and roaming around in certain greenhouse. Just a little FYI.

__________________
Merek Matthew Cardew :: ATLFROG.com
HTTP://www.blogtalkradio.com/reptilian-fish

socaled

I know that wild animal park here is san diego has a good selection of frogs that they take care of. I was just suprised that San Diego zoo was lacking what I expected especially that they are world-wildly known. I read recently from yahoo that San Diego zoo was on the top ten list. They were 2nd from Philly.

-Angeles

Jeffdart

The San Diego Zoos setups are just sad.I wish I could make a few vivs for them. I was hoping they would have some of the more rare species.

socaled

You think they would have the more rare species because of the popularity of this zoo... I guess they put all their funds on bigger animals but I think they should seriously build better homes for the smaller guys but that's just me...

-Angeles

Knoxter

Hey GA,

I agree with you. I believe that as the word gets out about how declining amphibian populations are a direct reflection of how we are destroying the environment, more folks will start to pay attention to frog conservation efforts.
As for ABG, visiting that place is very high on my "To Do" list. I am so pissed I Frog Day when t was in ATL. I hear, that was the one to be at. I remember when Ron used to be just the Reptile and Amphibian curator, now, I think he Runs the whole show, and is the curator of the entire ABG.
I had a talk with one of the other members on the phone today and we were talking about how we both had been out of the hobby for a few years and since our return many of the frogs that were common place many years ago, are all together gone now, or very expensive to obtain. Like the chocolate brown tricolor with the lime green stripes.
(similar to the ones offered for sale on Herpetologic.net)

These used to be like $15. Now I cannot find them anywhere, or anyone that has them.

I sure hope everyone in the hobby is making every effort to keep their frogs healthy and happy.

__________________
Marc

My frogs- Vanzolini, El Dorado (ong&gold), Cayo de Agua, Almerante, Gold Dust, Yuris, Imis, Inters, Taras, O Lamasi, Iquitos Vents, Varis, SI.


I appreciate everyone here. Without you, there would be no DFF. Thank you for your support.

Socalsam

As for the SD Zoo i didn't see any PDF's there but a really cool New exhibit for insects, Ant, and Bee's.The only tank I saw with PDF's were at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. And I would have to disagree with you Jeff. The only thing that bothers me with the Vivs at the W.A.P. is the different species they house together.The Vivs are really nice. And seeing some of their frogs to be sickly looking. I have already spoken to the Amphibian specialist at both the wild animal park and the zoo regarding their frogs.Both were very accepting in knowledge and i will be keeping in contact with them just to see how things are going. My sister is going to help me with thats. She is a volunteer at both Parks. Anyone in SD wanna take a Socal Group Field Trip!?

__________________
A few frogs.