NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (GroundReport) – Reports say that Mississippi gopher frogs have had a successful breeding season this year. The gopher frog is, incidentally, one of the most endangered species in the U.S.
During most years ponds dry up during the summer. The pond held water longer this summer. Amazingly, `81 tadpoles survived a deadly parasite, made it through metamorphosis and headed into the surrounding DeSoto National Forest, reports The Associated Press.
By removing the parasites from the frogs, biologists saved seven generations.
No more than 100 mature adults are thought to live in the wild. Five zoos — in New Orleans, Memphis, Detroit, Miami and Omaha, Nebraska have another 75 frogs in captivity.
"Our efforts have managed to stave off likely extinction but there’s a long way to go," said Joe Pechmann, an associate professor of biology at Western Carolina University who has studied the frogs since 2002, reports AP.