Our Work

Restoring Central America’s Frog Population

Harlequin Frog

Central America’s Harlequin frog population was pushed to the brink of extinction by the amphibian chytrid fungus disease. There is hope after the “soft release” of 400 frogs back into the wild, but the work to restore this vulnerable population isn’t done.

With the help of Conservation Nation funds, scientists working with the Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project continue to conduct experimental releases of captive-bred Harlequin frogs in Panama. Even more exciting is that a subset of these frogs are wearing radio trackers, so that scientists can estimate migration, habitat, and non-disease-related death.

This data is supporting the long-term effort to fully restore Harlequin frog populations.

Smithsonian scientist Brian Gratwicke with limosa harlequin frog
Brian Gratwicke with limosa harlequin frog

limosa harlequin frog on rocks
limosa harlequin frog on rocks

scientist tracking limosa harlequin frog
scientist tracking limosa harlequin frog

scientists near stream tracking limosa harlequin frogs
scientists near stream tracking limosa harlequin frogs

scientists in field lab examining limosa harlequin frogs
scientists in field lab examining limosa harlequin frogs

scientist examining a limosa harlequin frog
scientist examining a limosa harlequin frog

limosa harlequin frog with transmitter glowing under black light
limosa harlequin frog with transmitter glowing under black light

limosa harlequin frog on coin
limosa harlequin frog on coin


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