They Kindled Froggy Romance and Rescued Eggs to Save a Species in Mississippi
But two decades later, the frog's trajectory has turned around. While the species remains critically endangered and still relies on intensive interventions, its numbers have grown to around 600 adults, spread out over some 15 ponds and a handful of captive populations that now produce offspring.
It's been a roller-coaster ride. Over the years, collaborators — from federal and state agencies, academia, zoos and other conservation organizations — have lived through crushing lows, dizzying highs and chronic worry over the three-inch frogs. There have been brushes with disaster, like when critical genetic diversity was saved by relocating two frogs at a crucial moment. There have been quixotic quests to kindle froggy romance: Entire ponds have been constructed at the Memphis Zoo to tempt captive populations into mating.
50 States, 50 Fixes is a series about local solutions to environmental problems. More to come this year.
Not to mention the mundane logistics. Some of the most important work has to happen on frog time (at night) and in frog weather (pouring rain).
A pond where the frogs have been released into the wild.
Tony Cenicola/The New York Times
A froglet going through metamorphosis.
Tony Cenicola/The New York Times
Frogs being released into the wild.
Whitney Steinfeld/Memphis Zoo
An adult frog.
A pond built at the Memphis Zoo.
Zoo frogs in an imitation burrow.
Tony Cenicola/The New York Times
Glen's Pond, named for the researcher who discovered dusky gopher frogs there.
John Tupy, USFWS
A tortoise in its burrow, which the frogs also like to use.
Tony Cenicola/The New York Times
Sinlan Poo at a pond where frogs are reintroduced to nature.
Tony Cenicola/The New York Times
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