Over 3,000 Endangered Yellow-Legged Frogs and Tadpoles Unleashed to Reclaim SoCal Mountains
Good News Network · 2026-08-25
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance recently released 3,000 endangered mountain yellow-legged frogs and tadpoles into the waters of Bluff Lake in the Big Bear area, one of several reintroduction sites in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto mountains. This release is part of a two-decade-long conservation breeding and reintroduction program run by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, in partnership with entities like the US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Geological Survey. Historically, the species has seen a population decline of over 98% due to threats including disease, introduced predators, wildfire, and drought. The comprehensive program includes breeding, genetic diversity efforts, disease management, and reproductive research, with conservation teams monitoring the reintroduced frogs' health and survival. To date, over 10,000 mountain yellow-legged frogs and tadpoles have been reintroduced into high-elevation mountain habitats to help restore the species.