Recovering the Chiricahua leopard frog

Phoenix Zoo recently celebrated the release of its 30,000th Chiricahua leopard frog into the wild as part of their efforts to aid the recovery of this threatened species.

Dr. Tara Harris, Director of Conservation and Science at Phoenix Zoo, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss their recovery efforts.

This specific species of frog is native to aquatic environments in Arizona, New Mexico and northern Mexico. They have faced declining numbers in their population due to things like disease, invasive species and more.

“At that time, it was found that they disappeared from about 75% of historical sites and a lot of the threats that they face are habitat loss and degradation. This long-term drought has been really terrible for them, invasive species like bullfrogs and then disease,” Dr. Harris said.

The Chiricahua leopard frog has been protected under the Endangered Species Act since 2002; however, Phoenix Zoo first began their recovery efforts for this species in 1995.

“I am told that it started under a curator’s desk, in his office, and that he was raising them in like kiddie pools. Now, we have a much more sophisticated operation these days. We have a frog lab where people can come and actually watch us raise them,” Dr. Harris said.

Dr. Harris shared that those involved in the recovery efforts raise the Chiricahua leopard frogs over the course of a couple of years. Starting from the tadpole stage, and ending at the adult frog stage when they are ready to be released into the wild.

“It’s a big effort for us, and so it takes a lot of work. We raise them in several tanks we have to maintain water quality. We feed them, once they are little froglets we’re feeding them now around 15,000 crickets a week and couple hundred roaches. So, and the tadpoles get a different diet of tadpole gel that we make and roll out like a brownie,” Dr. Harris said.

In response to those who may question the importance of the recovery efforts done by the Phoenix Zoo, Dr. Harris shared her thoughts on the matter.

“These frogs are Arizonans just like you and me, and they’re a piece of what makes this state really special and unique. And these frogs are not doing well. We have 24 frogs and toad species here in Arizona, this is the only one that’s listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. And so they need our help and so we have the expertise needed to help them,” Dr. Harris said.