PROJECT GOAL $250,000
- 100%
ABOUT THE PROJECT
While frogs have been part of the landscape for at least 250 million years, they have experienced mass extinction since the 1970s. Once found in abundance across Alberta wetlands and British Columbia, the Northern Leopard frog is no exception.
The Northern Leopard frog population of British Columbia— known as the Rocky Mountain population— is listed as Endangered. The only surviving native population is currently protected within the wetlands of the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area. Northern Leopard frogs of Alberta are known as the Prairie population and are listed on the Alberta Endangered Species List as “Special Concern.” They are no longer found in the Edmonton Area.
In 2019, the Edmonton Valley Zoo has joined the Northern Leopard Frog Recovery Team to help save the last remaining population in British Columbia!
What the zoo is doing…
On October 31st, 2019, 22 juvenile Northern Leopard frogs arrived at the Edmonton Valley Zoo. The goal of the Northern Leopard Frog Recovery Project is to breed captive individuals, producing healthy tadpoles. These tadpoles will then be released into specific wetland areas of British Columbia, increasing their population in the wild and reversing the distressing decline.
During May, the zookeepers slowly raise the water temperature to 15C, waking the frogs from their winter hibernation. The frogs mate throughout the spring months, and each female frog lays an egg mass containing 300-6,500 eggs. As the eggs hatch, the tadpoles are closely cared for and monitored. Over the summer, the tadpoles are relocated from the EVZ to targeted areas across British Columbia by the Northern Leopard Frog Recovery Team.
WHAT THE VZDS DID…
The Valley Zoo Development Society raised over $250,000 to assist in these efforts. This vital funding was used for:
Conservation: Building THREE outdoor habitats, new coolers for winter hibernation, and the hiring of an onsite biologist to research ways to ensure the program would be successful.
Education: Constructing a play and interpretive area between the trailer and the outdoor habitats so kids can enjoy an experiential learning, and a game of Hop Scotch Frog!
SUPPORT FROG CONSERVATION…
HELP BUILD OUR ZOO!
It is through today’s zoos that future generations will come to a greater understanding of the human impact on the natural world and be motivated to preserve it and reverse the damage already done. Every donation, big or small, helps us revitalize our beloved Edmonton Valley Zoo! Thank you for caring for the animals, our children’s future and the planet!