|
Central Park Zoo News
The Tadpole Trials
|
©WCS/L.Groskin
| Central Park Zoo Collections Manager Bruce Foster and WCS Videographer Luke Groskin, made the trek down to Puerto Rico with the box of tadpoles in December 2006. Back in New York, they answered a few questions about their experience, and hopes for the Puerto Rican crested toad’s future.
1. With all the restrictions on airplane carry-ons, did you encounter any problems while in transit with the tadpoles?
LG: It took a long time to get the boxes of tadpoles cleared past airline officials, which was worrisome given that our precious freight was alive. When I saw that the cargo inspectors were opening the containers of tadpoles with box cutters, I had to intervene! Fortunately, after some explanation, we were able to get all of the tadpoles through with their transport bags intact.
2. Why not release toads directly into the forest instead of the more vulnerable tadpoles? Wouldn’t hearty toads have a better chance of surviving?
BF: It’s mostly an economic move—it would take a minimum of two years and 100 boxes to rear and ship 1,000 toads. With tadpoles, we can pack 300–1,000 at a time into a single box and transport them with much less trouble.
3. What are the optimal conditions for releasing a couple thousand tadpoles into a forest pond?
BF: We chose to breed the tadpoles at the Zoo and release them so it coincided with the rainy season in Puerto Rico. After the rains, temporary freshwater pools form, which are essential conditions for the adult toads to breed.
4. Is Guanica State Forest well managed? Will there be any efforts to check up on or protect the toads as they mature?
BF: The Puerto Rican Department of Natural Resources has a manager on site at the forest. His staff will return to the pond and feed the tadpoles the algae they need in the two weeks before they metamorphose. Afterward the staff will come back on a sporadic basis. But it’s not easy to track the toads because this habitat is extremely harsh—it’s no land of sandy beaches and peaceful forest paths. There are limestone outcroppings and desert-like, spiny brush covering the forest floor. It’s hard to travel there.
5. Luke, you documented the release with a video camera. How will the footage be used?
LG: Ideally, the footage will illuminate the plight of the toad to Puerto Ricans who see it on local and cable broadcast. Seeing this enormous effort on behalf of the tiny tadpoles’ homecoming could spark public interest and lead a future generation to action.
6. Any parting wishes for the tadpoles?
BF: The release went well, and we’re hoping that this new generation of toads can help secure a future for this species. Puerto Rico is an island of great natural beauty, and protecting the natural inhabitants of the island is an important part of preserving that beauty.
|
