Summary of Potter Park Zoo Sends 2000 Tadpoles to Puerto Rico in a Critical Conservation Effort:
Potter Park Zoo has participated in a conservation effort by sending 2000 Puerto Rican crested toad tadpoles to Puerto Rico. This is a part of the Puerto Rican Crested Toad Conservancy’s initiative to reestablish the wild population of this endangered species. Once believed to be extinct, the Puerto Rican crested toad is the only toad species native to Puerto Rico and is currently classified as Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and competition from invasive species. Potter Park Zoo has been involved in a captive breeding program for the toads, aiming to increase their population and implemented. Breeding the toads requires recreating specific environmental conditions, including temperature and rainfall patterns. The tadpoles are shipped to Puerto Rico after around one week at the zoo and undergo metamorphosis into young toads. It takes several years for them to reach their adult size. Visitors to the zoo can observe the Puerto Rican crested toads exhibited in the reptile building.
1. Potter Park Zoo recently sent 2000 Puerto Rican crested toad tadpoles to Puerto Rico as part of a conservation effort.
2. The Puerto Rican crested toad is the only toad species native to Puerto Rico and is critically endangered.
3. The Species Survival Plan program aims to increase the Puerto Rican crested toad population through captive breeding and habitat restoration.
4. Breeding Puerto Rican crested toads in human care requires recreating specific environmental conditions.
5. The tadpoles undergo metamorphosis and grow into young toads before release.
The Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, Michigan, recently participated in a critical conservation effort by sending 2000 Puerto Rican crested toad tadpoles to Puerto Rico. This initiative is part of a larger project led by the Puerto Rican Crested Toad Conservancy (PRCTC) to reestablish the wild population of this endangered species.
The Puerto Rican crested toad, scientifically known as the Peltophrynee lemur, was once believed to be extinct until a small population was discovered in northern Puerto Rico in 1967. Since then, it has been classified as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List due to habitat loss and competition from invasive species like the marine toad.
To combat the decline of the Puerto Rican crested toad, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums implemented a Species Survival Plan (SSP) in 1984, with the Puerto Rican crested toad being the first amphibian to receive SSP status. The SSP program focuses on captive breeding to increase the population of the toads and implement recovery goals. These goals include protecting and restoring existing habitats, implementing educational programs, and creating new breeding ponds. Potter Park Zoo has actively participated in this program, sending tens of thousands of tadpoles to Puerto Rico.
Breeding Puerto Rican crested toads in human care involves recreating the specific environmental conditions of Puerto Rico’s spring and fall rainy seasons. Zookeepers at Potter Park Zoo carefully control the temperature to simulate these seasons. The toads are cooled to 66 degrees Fahrenheit for one month, inducing a state of inactivity called torpor. During this period, they do not eat. After a month, the temperature is raised to 82 degrees Fahrenheit, and the toads resume feeding.
To ensure the health of the toads and prevent the spread of disease, they receive daily anti-fungal baths for a week before the breeding event. The SSP coordinator recommends the pairing of toads for breeding. Potter Park Zoo was asked to breed two pairs of toads this year. The breeding tanks are equipped with rain bars, and the sounds of Puerto Rican crested toad calls are played continuously to create a suitable environment for breeding.
Once the eggs are laid, the adult toads are removed from the tanks and returned to their holding tanks. The eggs develop rapidly, and the tadpoles hatch after only 24 hours. Unlike adult toads, tadpoles are herbivorous and feed on algae and other plant material. They stay at Potter Park Zoo for approximately one week, allowing them to grow before being released to Puerto Rico.
The tadpoles undergo a fascinating transformation known as metamorphosis, where they gradually develop limbs and lose their tails. This process typically takes around 2-3 weeks and culminates in the emergence of young toads. This quick transformation is essential because adult Puerto Rican crested toads breed in temporary ponds in the wild, and the tadpoles must become toads before the ponds dry up.
It is important to note that the growth from tadpole to adult toad takes several years. These toads reach their adult size of 2-3 inches after significant development. Visitors to Potter Park Zoo can observe the Puerto Rican crested toads exhibited in the reptile building, witnessing these animals’ incredible journey as they grow and thrive.
Potter Park Zoo is involved in the conservation efforts for Puerto Rican crested toads and provides a home for nearly 300 animals from various species. This includes critically endangered black rhinos, red pandas, Massasauga rattlesnakes, and spider monkeys. The zoo is dedicated to educating the public and raising awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation. Visiting the zoo gives individuals a unique opportunity to learn about and appreciate the diverse wildlife inhabiting our planet.
In conclusion, the Potter Park Zoo’s involvement in the conservation effort to reestablish the wild population of Puerto Rican crested toads in Puerto Rico is commendable. Through breeding programs, habitat restoration, and educational initiatives, zoos like Potter Park Zoo play a crucial role in safeguarding endangered species and preserving the delicate balance of our ecosystems. By supporting these efforts and learning more about the incredible animals in our care, we can all contribute to a sustainable future for wildlife. To learn more about Potter Park Zoo, its conservation initiatives, and the incredible animals it houses, visit their website at potterparkzoo.org.
