Puerto Rican Crested Toads (COQUÍs) Hatch for First Time at Cleveland Zoo
HALLELUJAH - Twenty endangered toadlets are a success for Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. After they morph from tadpole into toadlet, Puerto Rican crested toads look tiny compared to a single nickel. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo recently welcomed 20 of the endangered amphibians, which seem to be thriving after successfully hatching at The RainForest.

Their arrival is a major conservation milestone for the Zoo, which has been trying for 10 years to succeed at the extremely difficult task of breeding Puerto Rican crested toads. A lone hatchling, named "Solito," arrived last fall, and 19 more tadpoles recently hatched and already are morphing into toadlets.

"This species was on the brink of extinction, so having success like this is very significant," said Kathy Krynak, the Zoo's amphibian keeper."A few years ago there were only 250 of these toads left, but we're helping to bring them back."

Successfully breeding the Puerto Rican crested toads was no simple task. To get them in the mood, Zoo staff played a CD with crested toad mating calls in the background and put the males and females together in a rain chamber that simulates the weather in Puerto Rico during their natural breeding season. To seal the deal, the toads were given some Viagra-like assistance. WOW! Look out, Ladies!

Next fall, the Zoo hopes to hatch even more Puerto Rican crested toads, which could eventually be sent to Puerto Rico and released into protected ponds.

While Puerto Rican crested toads once lived all across the island, they were brought to near-extinction in the 1980s because of habitat loss. Through captive breeding programs managed by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums' Species Survival Plan, the population is being rebuilt, with thousands being reintroduced in recent years.

The Puerto Rican crested toad's story is just part of the global amphibian crisis, which could lead to species of toads and frogs being wiped out from their native habitats. The Zoo and others nationwide are using their breeding programs to combat the crisis, which is largely due to global warming and a spreading fungus called chytrid.

Puerto Ricans throughout the world are having parties in celebration of such a blessed event. ARE YOU?

Tell me... HOW do YOU see it?