Vancouver Aquarium releases 2,500 endangered tadpoles near Cranbrook

The Vancouver Aquarium has released 2,500 endangered northern leopard frog tadpoles into a wetland near Cranbrook, marking the second-largest release in the program’s history.

The release is part of a long-running effort to recover B.C.’s most endangered amphibian.

The northern leopard frog once lived across much of the province but is now reduced to a single wild population in the Creston Valley.

“This was our biggest-ever egg mass and a very successful year overall,” said Vancouver Aquarium biologist Andrew Cumming.

“Northern leopard frogs are notoriously difficult to breed, so we’re thrilled to support their recovery in such a meaningful way.”

The Vancouver Aquarium was the first in Canada to breed the species in captivity.

It works alongside the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, Edmonton Valley Zoo, and other partners on the Northern Leopard Frog Recovery Team.

According to the Vancouver Aquarium, tadpoles are released into the wild to help support the population, while some are kept in human care for protection.

Habitat loss, invasive species, disease, and climate change have all contributed to the frog’s steep decline.

The northern leopard frog recovery effort is also part of the global Amphibian Ark initiative, which supports the conservation of threatened amphibians worldwide.