Oregon Spotted Frogs Raised at Oregon Zoo Released into the Wild

By Bill LaMarche

Portland, OR - As the Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa) disappears from the wild at an alarming rate, the Oregon Zoo, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and their conservation partners are working to repopulate the Pacific Northwest with this important amphibian. Earlier this week, the WDFW released around 80 frogs into the wild, including a dozen that had been reared at the zoo.

Spotted frogs are endangered in Washington and Canada, and threatened in Oregon. Over the past 50 years, the frogs have lost around 90 percent of their previous habitat.

"The key to reestablishing spotted frogs in the wild is nurturing the frogs in zoos until they are fully metamorphosed, yet not fully grown," said to Dr. David Shepherdson, Oregon Zoo conservation scientist. "They have a much better chance of survival if they're released as frogs rather than tadpoles."

The Oregon spotted frog faces an uncertain future. Non-native American bullfrogs and game fish are among the predators putting the species in peril. However, predators are not the only danger to the spotted frog - the deadly chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), which originated in Africa, threatens amphibian populations worldwide.

These mass extinctions have become a worldwide crisis, leading major conservation organizations, such as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the NW Zoo and Aquarium Alliance, to take action.

In 2007, the frog reintroduction program was first developed through a collaborative effort by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Fort Lewis, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Washington State Department of Transportation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Woodland Park Zoo, Port Blakely Tree Farms, Washington Department of Natural Resources, NW Zoo & Aquarium Alliance, U.S Geological Survey, Mountain View Conservation & Breeding Centre and The Nature Conservancy.

Dr. Shepherdson has been working closely with the WDFW for the past 12 years, ensuring that field aspects of the program have sufficient volunteer assistance for egg mass surveys and collection.

"Much of the conservation partnership's success is linked to the excellent relationship Dr. Shepherdson maintains with us," said Dr. Marc Hayes of the WDFW. "He has been instrumental in engaging volunteers and keeping the Oregon Zoo involved in the Oregon Spotted Frog Working Group."

The process of collecting eggs, rearing tadpoles and releasing frogs generally takes about six months and elicits stronger results each time. This week's successful release left conservationists hopeful that progress will continue, allowing the program to expand to other wetlands in the Northwest.

The Oregon Zoo has also opened an exhibit highlighting the native amphibian and the efforts to save it.

"We hope the frogs on exhibit -- named Kirk, Spock and Scotty by one of our keepers -- inspire visitors to join the zoo in its conservation efforts," said Shepherdson. "Much like their namesakes, they serve as ambassadors for their planet."

Visitors can see the amphibian trio at the Cascade Stream and Pond building of the Great Northwest Exhibit.

To watch a video of Oregon spotted frogs, visit
www.oregonzoo.org/VideoArchive/oregon_tadpoles.htm .

The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to inspire the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Washington's pygmy rabbits, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles, Oregon spotted frogs and Kincaid's lupine. Other projects include studies on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.

The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light rail line. Visitors who take MAX to the zoo receive $1.50 off zoo admission. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433), or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.

General admission is $10.50 (12-64), seniors $9 (65+), children $7.50 (3-11), and infants 2 and under are free; 25 cents of the admission price helps fund regional conservation projects through the zoo's Future for Wildlife program. A parking fee of $2 per car is also required. Additional information is available at www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.

Caption: With the Oregon spotted frog disappearing from the wild at an alarming rate, the Oregon Zoo and its dedicated conservation partners are striving to repopulate the Pacific Northwest with this important amphibian. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife released 80 frogs earlier this week, 12 raised at the zoo, hoping to ensure the species' survival. Photo by Julie Cudahy, courtesy of the Oregon Zoo.

Caption 2: Gilbert Gomez of the Oregon Zoo releases a rare Oregon spotted frog into a wetland at Fort Lewis. The Oregon spotted frog is disappearing from the wild at an alarming rate, and the zoo and its dedicated conservation partners are striving to repopulate the Pacific Northwest with this important amphibian. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife released 80 frogs earlier this week, 12 raised at the zoo, hoping to ensure the species' survival. Photo by Julie Cudahy, courtesy of the Oregon Zoo.

Oregon Zoo " 4001 SW Canyon Rd. " Portland, Oregon 97221 " 503-226-1561

To view Oregon Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to:  http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-382-Oregon_Zoo