Reintroducing the Puerto Rican Crested Toad

A Puerto Rican crested toad behind the scenes at the Central Park Zoo.

The Zoo’s parent organization, the Wildlife Conservation Society recently transported some 500 tadpoles to Puerto Rico’s Guanica State Forest, where they were released as part of a reintroduction effort.

Unlike the coqui, a small and widespread tree frog that is Puerto Rico’s most popular amphibian (as well as the island’s unofficial mascot), the Puerto Rican crested toad has declined dramatically in number. The reasons for the decline: loss of habitat, and threats from introduced species such as the mongoose, rat, and the giant marine toad, the last of which competes for the same resources.

The species is now listed as threatened on the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and as Critically Endangered according to the World Conservation Union (IUCN).