Endangered Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frogs Are on the Rise

Press Article: Sierra Nevada Yellow-Legged Frogs Make Remarkable Comeback in California

After facing near-extinction, the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog (Rana sierrae) is rebounding in California’s alpine lakes. Once abundant, these small amphibians dwindled significantly after European settlers introduced non-native fish species during the California Gold Rush, leading to a drastic decline in their population. By the early 2000s, an infectious skin disease caused by the chytrid fungus further threatened their survival, prompting their placement on the endangered species list in 2014.

However, recent studies reveal encouraging signs of recovery in populations, particularly within Yosemite National Park. Researchers report in Nature Communications a “remarkably successful” comeback, largely credited to the natural resilience of these frogs and scientific intervention. “The lakes are alive again,” said Roland Knapp, a biologist at the University of California, Santa Barbara. “You can see dozens of frogs and thousands of tadpoles, transforming once-quiet shores into vibrant ecosystems.”

In a bold move to revitalize the species, researchers began a project in 2006, transporting resistant frogs to non-native fish-free lakes. This initiative yielded positive results over the years, with surviving frogs adapting genetically to their environment. Today, many populations are self-sustaining, significantly decreasing their extinction risk.

The success of the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog serves as a hopeful model for conservationists dealing with the repercussions of disease in other endangered species. Knapp emphasizes the frogs’ resilience: “When I saw these populations recovering, that was the first time in 15 years I felt a glimmer of hope.” As these vibrant amphibians hop back into their natural habitats, the future looks bright for California’s diverse ecosystems.

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Photo credit www.smithsonianmag.com