Once presumed extinct, the Relict Leopard Frog has made a remarkable comeback in the wetlands of northwest Arizona. This species, originally native to areas encompassing northwest Arizona, southeast Nevada, and southwest Utah, was rediscovered in Nevada in 1991. Since then, efforts have been ongoing to find suitable environments for their reintroduction.
Pakoon Springs, a small oasis in Arizona’s northwest, was identified by the Arizona Game and Fish Department as a potential habitat for these frogs. However, the area was overrun with bullfrogs, an invasive species. Originating from the eastern United States, bullfrogs pose a significant threat to native amphibians, particularly the leopard frogs, due to their predatory nature and their role in spreading a harmful fungal disease.
The task of eradicating bullfrogs from Pakoon Springs began in 2010, involving various organizations including the University of Arizona and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. By 2019, the last bullfrogs were removed, paving the way for the introduction of Relict Leopard Frogs bred in captivity at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Released in 2022, these frogs have successfully established a self-sustaining population at Pakoon Springs.
Parallel conservation efforts are being undertaken by researchers at the University of Arizona for the Chiricahua Leopard Frog, another threatened species, in the wetlands of southern Arizona.
Amphibian populations worldwide are facing significant declines. The successful recovery of the Relict Leopard Frog offers a glimmer of hope for other species facing similar threats.
This Earth Note was written by Steve Schwartz and produced by KNAU and the Sustainable Communities Program at Northern Arizona University.
—
Read More Arizona News
