Endangered Loa Water Frogs Return to Their Natural Habitat Begin
In a critical step to save the endangered Loa water frogs, conservationists recently transported a dozen of the amphibians from Santiago to Calama. These frogs, which were once on the verge of extinction, are now part of a major conservation effort to restore their habitat in one of the driest deserts in the world. The frogs were flown in temperature-controlled containers, carefully monitored by scientists as they begin the journey back to their natural environment in the Loa River.
The species faced near extinction in 2019 due to water extraction caused by mining, agriculture, and climate change. This rapid degradation of their habitat left the frogs in a fragile state, prompting urgent rescue efforts.
Successful Breeding Program Sparks Hope
In 2019, scientists rescued the remaining Loa water frogs, relocating 60 of them while transporting 14 to the Parquemet Zoo in Santiago. There, herpetologist Osvaldo Cabeza spearheaded a breeding program that successfully increased their population to 500 individuals.
Cabeza now aims to reintroduce the frogs to the wild. However, he emphasises that restoring their natural habitat is essential. “If we do not recover this habitat, it is very likely that the frogs will become extinct in the wild and will only exist in laboratories,” he said, urging collaboration from various sectors to rehabilitate the environment.
Collaborative Efforts for Habitat Restoration
A key part of this initiative is the newly inaugurated El Loa Biodiversity and Conservation Center (CENByC), a project launched by state-run copper giant Codelco and the local government. The centre in northern Calama is dedicated to conserving the Loa water frogs and supporting their reproduction.
Francisca Oliva, the centre’s coordinator, expressed optimism about the project’s future. “The frog is a survivor. It has proven to be quite resilient to all the adverse conditions it has been exposed to,” she said, adding that there is hope for long-term success in the conservation efforts.
While scientists continue to work on breeding and conservation at the centre, the Chilean government has designated a new protected area in Calama to safeguard the frogs’ natural habitat. Moving forward, efforts will focus on cleaning and protecting this environment in collaboration with local communities and businesses.
