Tiny endangered frogs released into wild

Tiny endangered frogs released into wild

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Story Published: Sep 22, 2008 at 10:42 PM PDT

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 2:40 AM PDT

By Robert Santos

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FORT LEWIS, Wash. -- Biologists released hundreds of Oregon-spotted frogs back into the wild on Monday.

For their first seven months, the baby frogs lived like kings at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park with experts tending to their every need.

"They had their nice heated tubs, covered from the predators, living the good life. They got fed once a day," said Allison Abraham with the park.

Those tiny members of the endangers species list are now headed back to Mother Nature. But first, they had a full checkup. Their legs were measured to make sure they're strong enough to hop around in the wild.

"All those threats to them there in the wild were eliminated at Trek, and they were given the best chance for survival they can possibly have," said Abrahams.

The frogs are slimy, slippery and jumpy at this young age. They're about seven months old and weigh less than an ounce. They were collected as fertilized eggs in the wild.

The frogs were released into a lake on the Fort Lewis Military Reservation. Tracking belts were attached to the frogs' bodies so scientists can keep track of them.

This is the first time the state has captured and raised the endangered frogs, which hey can be found in lakes, from British Columbia to Northern California.

"We're able to take information about the habitat the frog is in and the condition the frog is in, and use that information to guide our future release efforts," said

The tiny frogs are just a small strand in the Web of life, but it's a strand biologists hope to never lose.

The Oregon-spotted frogs are endangered due to non-native predators, environmental changes and habitat loss. Today there are fewer than ten areas in Thurston and Klickitat Counties were these creatures live.

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