Zoo released nearly 700,000 eggs, toads and spawn to save them
Endangered Houston toad eggs, tadpoles and toads were released into their native range on a designated release site in Texas.
By Ben Barry
A zoo has released nearly 700,000 endangered toads and spawn into the wild - to save them from extinction.
On March 27, 690,957 endangered Houston toad eggs, tadpoles and toads were released into their native range on a designated release site in Bastrop County, Texas, by Fort Worth Zoo.
The Houston toad was one of the first amphibians to be listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1970 and it is believed there are fewer than 400 of them left in the wild.
Each week, for six to eight weeks during toad-breeding season, the zoo's Houston toad team matches adult breeding pairs based on the their full-time reproductive physiologist's findings.
The toad will then, hopefully, lay a strand of eggs - with each strand containing between 4,000 and 10,000 eggs.
The team then counts every egg, carefully bags the egg strains and sends them down to the release site in Bastrop Count,y where they are placed in the pond within protective baskets.
This year a total of 682,216 eggs, 8,677 tadpoles and 64 adult toads were released from the Fort Worth Zoo's facility.
Stories and infographics by ‘Talker Research’ are available & ready to use. Stories and videos by ‘Talker News’ are managed by Talker Inc. For queries, please submit an inquiry via our contact form.
Why female treefrogs have trouble picking mates
Gray treefrogs live across wide swaths of the United States, ranging from Virginia, west to Texas, and north into Canada.
How US forces train their K-9 units at UK air base
The dogs are trained for detection and protection duties, sweeping buildings, patrolling perimeters and responding to intruders alongside armed security...
Hydrogen-powered car sets new world land speed record
The JCB Hydromax car became the fastest hydrogen-powered vehicle as it recorded an average speed of 406.320 mph.
NASA reveals stunning image of Tarantula Nebula
The Tarantula has thousands of young stars embedded in a vibrant honeycomb-like structure of gas and dust.
Study finds droughts change how infectious diseases spread
"Climate change isn't simply making Earth warmer or drier. It is making droughts more variable and less predictable."
Transportation2 days agoUS hires over 2,000 video gamers as air traffic controllers
Travel1 day agoWhy 3 in 5 haven’t taken a vacation this summer
Food & Drink2 days agoIs family meal planning too much of a mental load?
Science2 days agoWhat’s inside the Pentagon’s newest UFO files?
Studies2 days agoDo babies who live with dogs get sick less?
Español5 days agoCómo los padres manejan a sus hijos quisquillosos con la comida
Food & Drink2 days agoSeaweed coating keeps strawberries fresh without refrigeration
Parenting6 hours agoHow far parents go to afford school supplies
