Fending the frog
THE latest addition to the endangered species list is not an exotic animal or bird, but the humble frog, albeit with red legs. After a year-long legal battle, the Californian red-legged frog (Rana aurora) has won a victory of sorts. It will enjoy 'the protection given to rare endangered species. The frog has been lucky in earning a place in the list. The government had imposed a moratorium on adding new species to the list more than a year ago due to shortage of funds. The red-legged frog is the first species to be listed as endangered since then.
Frog-lovers from the Environmental Defense Center at Santa Barbara fought the battle on its behalf. "This is a crucial species, and a critical part of our heritage," said Greg Helms of the Center. The frog has had a hard time surviving. It has long been relished as a delicacy in restaurants. Moreover, major Californian water projects began to destroy their habitat by diverting water for agriculture and mining. Today, the species can be found on less than a third of its original range.