FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: December 17, 2010
Contact: Debbie Rios-Vanskike
Phone: 734-7184, ext. 1043
Email: drv@sazoo-aq.org

SAN ANTONIO ZOO’S FIRST SUCCESSFUL BREEDING OF THE THREATENED PUERTO RICAN CRESTED TOAD

SAN ANTONIO TX – The San Antonio Zoo is a proud participant of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums/Species Survival Plan (AZA SSP) for the Puerto Rican crested toad. The Zoo is thrilled to announce that over 500 threatened Puerto Rican crested toad tadpoles were returned to their native home of Puerto Rico on December 10, 2010.

The Puerto Rican crested toad is the only toad species native to Puerto Rico. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services classifies it as a threatened species that has seen a dramatic decline in numbers for the past 30 years. Since 1982, participating AZA zoos have been reproducing crested toads in captivity for the sole purpose of releasing offspring back into the wild. Artificial ponds have been established in protected areas of Puerto Rico for the supervised release of zoo-bred tadpoles. Only two Puerto Rican crested toad populations remain in Puerto Rico - a northern population at Quebradillas, and a southern population at Guanica. The San Antonio Zoo’s tadpoles were sent to the Guanica site. “This exciting and significant event marks the first successful breeding of this highly threatened amphibian at the San Antonio Zoo since we joined the Puerto Rican crested toad species survival plan two years ago,” said Steve McCusker, Executive Director at the San Antonio Zoo.

 

The San Antonio Zoo is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the highest standard of care for the animal and plant collections while offering a recreational and educational experience for our many visitors. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is open 365 days a year. Admission for children ages 3 – 11 is $8. Admission for visitors ages 12 and older is $10.75 Seniors over the age of 62 pay a discounted rate of $8 and children two and younger are free. Family memberships are $75 good for the entire family.

 

Photo Credit Courtesy of the San Antonio Zoo.