United States - August 15, 2024

In a significant step towards conserving an endangered species, over 100 northern leopard frogs, raised at the Oregon Zoo, were released back into their natural habitat at the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge on August 15. This release marks a collaborative conservation effort aimed at bolstering one of the last remaining populations of this species in the Northwest.

The frogs, which began life as eggs collected by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) earlier this year, were nurtured through their tadpole stage and into adulthood at the zoo. This process, known as head-starting, gives the frogs a better chance of survival once released into the wild by allowing them to grow in a protected environment.

Jennifer Osburn Eliot, who leads the zoo's frog-rearing program, explained, "We care for them at the zoo until they’re big enough to have a better chance at surviving in the wild." This initiative is part of a broader partnership involving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington State University, and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.

Northern leopard frogs, once common across North America, have seen drastic population declines due to habitat loss, disease, invasive species like bullfrogs, pollution, and climate change. In Washington, where these frogs were released, they've been listed as endangered since 1999, with only one known population surviving in the wild.

"Every frog we release makes a difference for this vulnerable species," Eliot emphasized, highlighting the importance of each individual in the species' recovery.

The conservation effort not only aims to save the northern leopard frog but also to enhance wetland ecosystems. Emily Grabowsky, a biologist with WDFW, noted, "Northern leopard frogs are an important indicator of water quality. If we can improve and conserve wetland habitat that is good for frogs, we will also benefit other species ranging from other amphibians to waterfowl and deer."

Funding for this reintroduction program comes from a competitive state wildlife grant through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program, underscoring the federal commitment to wildlife conservation.