Look who’s hopping back to their homes: Hundreds of zoo-reared frogs

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Hundreds of northern leopard frogs reared at the Oregon Zoo are hopping back into the wild, thanks to a collaborative effort to save one of the last remaining Northwest populations of this imperiled amphibian.

The froglets, which hatched from eggs collected by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife earlier this year, spent six months growing big and strong in a protected area at the zoo before being released into the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge this summer.

“They come to us as eggs, and we keep them safe and well-fed until they grow legs and can hop on their own,” said Shelly Pettit, who oversees the zoo’s frog-rearing efforts. “A big, healthy young frog has a much better chance of surviving in the wild than an egg or a tadpole.”

In Washington, where the zoo-reared froglets were released, the species has been listed as endangered since 1999 and only one known population remains. By head-starting them, the zoo and its conservation partners are hoping to replenish the northern leopard frog population in the region.

“We’re at a critical point for this species,” Pettit said. “After missing the 2020 season due to COVID impacts, we were very excited to produce a healthy group of frogs for this year’s release.”

Helping the frogs — and the wetland habitat they depend on — will benefit other species as well, conservationists say.

“Northern leopard frogs are an important indicator of water quality,” said Emily Grabowsky, WDFW biologist. “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.”

The recovery effort is made possible by a partnership with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington State University and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.

Video from this year’s wild release can be seen at bit.ly/FrogRelease2021.