The Aquarium of the Pacific is nurturing critically endangered mountain yellow-legged frogs before releasing them into the wild. Once abundant in California’s mountains, their population dwindled to fewer than 200 by 2021. Last month, the aquarium celebrated releasing 1,000 frogs since 2020, when a wildfire destroyed much of their habitat. Their populations also have been threatened by non-native trout and fungal infections. The frogs play a crucial role in ecosystems, helping keep waterways clean as tadpoles and providing food for other animals. The aquarium oversees their metamorphosis from tadpole to frog, ensuring they grow strong and healthy before being released into the wild.
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