Over 1,000 endangered frogs have been released into California wilderness to help boost self-sustaining life

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THE TAKEAWAY

• More than 1,000 endangered frogs have been released back into their native habitat in California.
• The species of frog released was the endangered southern mountain yellow-legged frog.
• The species is a medium-sized frog that includes two distinct groups.

CALIFORNIA – A critically endangered frog species is making a comeback after hundreds were released into its native habitat on the West Coast.

Members of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) announced the release of 653 southern mountain yellow-legged frogs during the summer.

This marks the largest release of the species so far.

653 southern mountain yellow-legged frogs released into wild.

(USGS / X)

The species is a medium-sized frog with two distinct groups: the southern distinct population, which became endangered in 2002, and the northern distinct population, which became endangered in 2013.

The two populations are separated by around 140 miles of unsuitable land, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Population threats

The biggest threats to the species are:

• Habitat destruction from dams and water diversions, recreation, grazing, road construction, and timber harvesting.
• Wildfires and drought.
• Introduction of trout, bullfrogs and other non-native species that carry diseases and eat the frog.

According to officials, these frogs are part of a larger effort to rebuild populations in the San Gabriel Mountains, where the species faces threats from wildfires, habitat loss, drought, disease, and non-native predators.

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These population efforts date back to raising this species as tadpoles and froglets in captivity before carefully choosing a habitat for release.

Researchers can study the frogs in their natural habitat to better understand how they survive, grow, and reproduce over time.

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Since the latest release this summer, more than 1,000 yellow-legged frogs have been released into their ideal natural habitat, with hopes that these creatures can rebuild a self-sustaining population.