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Back from the edge of extinction, Chilean frogs start journey home

storyp1> SANTIAGO, Oct 17 (Reuters) Sandwiched between wet towels in temperaturemonitored containers, a dozen seriously threatened Loa water frogs were flown from Santiago to Calama previously this month, the initial step conservationists have actually required to return the amphibians to their natural environment in a river that runs through the world's driest desert.

The frogs were on the verge of termination in 2019 after water extraction from mining, farming and development, worsened by environment modification, annihilated their habitat.

Researchers had the ability to save the remaining malnourished and sickly frogs, transferring 60 and carrying 14 to the Parquemet Zoo in Santiago for reproduction.

When there, Osvaldo Cabeza, a herpetologist, led an effective reproduction project, reaching a peak of 500 individuals. Now, he wishes to assist bring them back to their environment.

If we do not recuperate this environment, it is highly likely that the frogs will become extinct in the wild and will only exist in laboratories, Cabeza said, adding that various sectors require to come together to restore the habitat.

It's important to make joint efforts to recover (the frog's) environment.

To do that, state-run copper giant Codelco and the city government developed and recently inaugurated El Loa Biodiversity and Conservation Center (CENByC) in northern Calama.

The frog is a survivor. It has shown to be rather resistant to all the unfavorable conditions it has actually been exposed to, said Francisca Oliva, the center's planner. So my method of looking at this project in the future is rather enthusiastic.

At the new center, researchers intend to support the frogs and encourage recreation. In the future, they want to bring them back to their natural environment. For now, the federal government established a brand-new protected zone in Calama and intends to deal with business and citizens to tidy and secure the harmed environment.


(source: Reuters)