Partner organizations assist in Chiricahua leopard frog conservation

The Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Forest Service, and Eastern Arizona College staff and volunteers transplanted two Chiricahua leopard frog egg masses to a stock tank in the Galiuro Mountains on March 14.

The egg masses were from a captive rearing facility at Discovery Park, Safford, and were acclimated for two hours to achieve similar water quality conditions that were found in the stock pond. The eggs were housed in plastic fish cubes to allow for added protection, and attached to wooden dowels below the water surface. Once the eggs hatch, the tadpoles will be able to swim through holes in the fish cube and feed freely in the stock tank.

Chiricahua leopard frogs are listed under the Endangered Species Act. These additions to the wild populations of frogs are vital in the recovery of the species. The transplanted population will continue to be monitored throughout the year. 

www.azgfd.gov