4,000 Puerto Rican Crested Tadpoles were released today at Finca El Tallonal, located within the northern Karst of Puerto Rico. This reintroduction marks a new beginning for the species after 26 years of captive breeding and successful releases in the south of the island. Retracing the steps that led to the verge of extinction, the Puerto Rican Crested Toad, along with the Puerto Rican Parrot are two listed species destined to make a comeback to their old stumping grounds...the Northern Karst Region.
The Puerto Rican Crested Toad is the only native species of toad in Puerto Rico and can not be found anywhere else in the world. Toads are an integral part of their habitat, by easting insects they help maintain the ever so important ecological balance.
Hours before the release, an unprecedented tri-party agreement was signed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), the NGO Ciudadanos Del Karso (CDK) and the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources of Puerto Rico (DNER). The agreement formalized for the first time in Puerto Rico, conservation efforts of a threatened species within private lands. All previous recovery efforts for the Puerto Rican Crested Toad were carried out in public lands.
"This strategic alliance is part of an aggressive plan to urgently recover the species. The short-term goal is to establish three populations in the karsts region. In order to do this, we must all get involved," Edwin Mu
