Endangered Frogs Tagged for Reintroduction to the Wild
More than 220 Mountain Yellow-legged Frogs are one step closer to returning to their native Southern California mountains.
Photo: Alex Feltes, Birch Aquarium
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is celebrating another milestone in its efforts to save the endangered Mountain Yellow-legged Frog. In collaboration with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA), the aquarium recently tagged more than 220 frogs with Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags — an important step toward their reintroduction into the wild.
“After a year of dedicated collaboration, it's pretty incredible that we’re almost at the release date,” said Sean Bruce, Assistant Curator of Fishes and Invertebrates. “We’re excited to continue working alongside San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and so many other important partners in the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog recovery project.”
Identifying Individual Frogs
PIT tags are small, lightweight and durable devices that help recovery partners identify individual frogs in the wild. Each tag carries a unique identification number, revealing where the frog was raised – whether at Birch Aquarium, SDZWA or another partner facility – providing important data for conservation and monitoring efforts.
“It’s pretty amazing that every one of these little frogs has its own unique identification marker. We're excited because this means we'll hopefully be able to find the frogs raised at Birch Aquarium in the wild one day!” said Bruce.
In addition to tagging, the frogs were measured and weighed. The team also recorded important details about the tagging incision and any other distinguishing features. This baseline information will help researchers monitor the frogs’ growth and overall health if they are later found in the wild.
Next Leap Forward
With the frogs now tagged, the next exciting phase is their release into their native habitat — the high-elevation aquatic ecosystems of Southern California’s mountains. These alpine lakes, ponds and pools are essential breeding grounds and nurseries where tadpoles can thrive and grow into adult frogs.
This upcoming reintroduction also represents a historic milestone for Birch Aquarium and its dedicated Frog Care Team. It will be the first time in the aquarium’s history that a species raised onsite is reintroduced to the wild as part of a recovery effort.
Successful recovery depends on strong collaboration. Birch Aquarium is proud to collaborate with the SDZWA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and additional key partners in the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog recovery program. Together, this work supports this critical reintroduction effort to secure a future for these frogs.
*The Mountain Yellow-legged Frog recovery program has been active since 2006, with partners joining over time to support ongoing conservation efforts. While the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance serves as the lead organization, numerous key stakeholders and partners contribute to this work:
- Government agencies: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California State Parks
- Zoos and aquariums: San Diego Wildlife Alliance, Aquarium of the Pacific, Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography and UC San Diego, Los Angeles Zoo, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, Santa Ana Zoo
- Universities: University of California, Los Angeles and University of California, Berkeley
Together, these partners are committed to ensuring the survival and recovery of the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog.
About Birch Aquarium at Scripps
Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the public exploration center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Birch Aquarium features the groundbreaking work of Scripps Oceanography and UC San Diego scientists as well as conservation breeding programs and interactive exhibits. Birch Aquarium’s mission is to connect understanding to protecting our ocean planet, which it achieves through engaging hands-on learning opportunities for more than 500,000 guests and 40,000-plus pre-K-12 students each year. Visit aquarium.ucsd.edu for more information.