translated from Spanish: About 200 Loa frogs were born at the National Zoo

About 200 loa frog pups were born in the National Zoo, located in the Metropolitan Park of Santiago. The fact is a great event that required the work of a large human team, determined to prevent the extinction of this endemic species. In August last year, the last 14 specimens of the species found in its natural habitat, a stream of the Las Vertientes sector in Calama (Antofagasta region) that dried completely due to human intervention, were transferred to the Native Amphibian Reproduction Center of the National Zoo to find a way to achieve its reproduction. The experts involved in the project managed to recreate in Santiago the conditions of the original habitat of the frogs and also cared about their nutrition and health in general. This is how its reproduction was achieved and, more so, of the 14 specimens originally rescued, 12 are still alive. This is surprising for Andrés Charrier of the Chilean Herpetology Network, who stated that “the truth is that when we brought these animals to the zoo, I didn’t even know if they were going to survive the transfer from Calama on the plane to Santiago.” This is why he believes that today those involved are “making history”. For Di CaprioQuien made public the positive novelty was the Minister of Housing and Urban planning, Felipe Ward. “Today we have great news for the global ecosystem. Nearly 200 loa frog pups were born in the Conservation Center of our National Zoo, an endemic species of our country that, because of human action, unfortunately, is now endangered. That’s why our efforts are focused on preserving our country’s wildlife,” the authority said. What’s more, he used his Twitter account to publicize the good news also to the actor and environmental activist, Leonardo DiCaprio. Until yesterday, the actor had not answered. Also referring to this scientific achievement was the director of the National Zoo, Alejandra Montalba, who stressed that “this would not have been possible had it not been for the tireless work of the workers of the National Zoo who had to even replicate the exact water conditions in the north of our country in order to keep them alive.” On the new steps to achieve the conservation of this species, Gabriel Lobos, a researcher associated with the Natural History Museum of Calama, said that “I believe that now the challenge is regarding the habitat of the frog, since we will need to restore the place where these species inhabit in order to take other frogs to their lands of origin”.

Original source in Spanish