In a significant step for amphibian conservation, the Oregon Zoo has released 100 Northern Leopard Frogs into the wild. The frogs, which were hatched from eggs collected earlier this year by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), had spent the spring and summer growing in a secure environment at the zoo. Their release took place on August 15 at the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge.
Jennifer Osburn Eliot, who oversees the zoo’s frog-rearing program, explained, “The frogs arrive as eggs, evolve into tadpoles, and eventually mature into frogs. We nurture them until they are robust enough to thrive in their natural habitat.”
This recovery initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington State University, and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. The partnership aims to counteract the drastic decline of Northern Leopard Frogs, which were once widespread across North America but are now disappearing from their historical ranges in Washington, Oregon, and western Canada. In Washington, where the zoo’s froglets were released, the species has been endangered since 1999, with only one known population remaining.
“Each frog we release contributes significantly to the survival of this vulnerable species,” Eliot noted.
The decline of the Northern Leopard Frog is attributed to a variety of factors, including habitat loss, disease, predation by invasive bullfrogs, pollution, and climate change. By rearing and releasing these frogs, the zoo and its partners aim to bolster the frog population in the region and restore ecological balance.
Conservationists also highlight the broader environmental benefits of this initiative. Emily Grabowsky, a biologist with WDFW, emphasized, “Northern Leopard Frogs serve as a crucial indicator of water quality. Enhancing and conserving wetland habitats for frogs will also positively impact other wildlife, including amphibians, waterfowl, and deer.”
The reintroduction of the Northern Leopard Frog is supported by funding from a competitive state wildlife grant awarded to WDFW by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program.