Aquarium Releases 650 Endangered Frogs in San Gabriels

The Aquarium of the Pacific and conservation partners are raising endangered southern mountain yellow-legged frogs in captivity and releasing them into the San Gabriel Mountains to help restore populations. The effort has released more than 1,000 frogs since 2020, including more than 650 in August, after the Bobcat Fire destroyed much of the species’ remaining habitat. The frogs face threats from habitat loss, nonnative trout that eat tadpoles and chytrid fungus; captive rearing helps more young frogs survive the vulnerable transition from tadpole to adult. Conservationists hope continued releases and habitat recovery will help establish a self-sustaining population.