What, So What, Now What? How the SF Zoo Is Saving California’s Red-Legged Frogs

The California Red-Legged Frog is the largest native frog in the western United States and a threatened species. Photo courtesy of Marianne Hale

2020 was a challenging year for everyone, including the San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare. Although the commission began last year’s work as usual, by mid-March it was anything but. Sheltering-in-place forced the commission to respond to the realities of conducting government business during a global pandemic. What new equipment, processes, and training did we need? How could we engage the public in animal welfare issues during an unfolding humanitarian crisis? Fellow commissioner Michael Angelo Torres wrote about many of these challenges, and the commission’s adaptations, in the October Bay Woof issue. 

Frankly, the continued public engagement in animal welfare issues surprised me, but it shouldn't have. If anything, 2020 reinforced an obvious truth: active participation from a community fully invested and educated on the issues leads to positive change. San Francisco residents are definitely invested in animal issues, and even a pandemic couldn’t put a stop to that. 

The pandemic did alter traditional models of animal care. Animal shelter services, staff, and hours were limited to curb contagion. San Franciscans fostered and adopted animals at record rates, clearing out the once-full shelters. Wildlife patterns shifted as car traffic decreased. Birdwatching enjoyed a comeback. As San Franciscans slowed down, animals in the background moved to the foreground, both in their presence and in our thoughts. Like birdwatching, even our commission meetings enjoyed a bit of a comeback. 

In fact, commission meetings aren't just to ensure our city government is aware of animal issues.  They’re also a place for public participation and learning, both critical elements in advancing animal welfare. As commissioners, we want to do more to encourage both. 

As part of this renewed commitment, starting in February, the commission will present a public education series, featuring a selected topic of interest each month. Moving forward, we hope these presentations will answer the all-important questions for any animal advocacy issue: what, so what, and now what. 

In fact, those who logged in to our November meeting enjoyed a sneak preview of our new program as Ingrid Russell, Director of Collections at the San Francisco Zoo, showcased the zoo's wildlife conservation efforts in California. What did we learn? Glad you asked.

What? The mission of the San Francisco Zoo & Gardens is to connect people with wildlife, inspire caring for nature, and advance conservation action - a broad portfolio indeed. For our commission presentation, Ms. Russell focused on the zoo’s efforts to conserve amphibians and insects threatened or endangered in our increasingly fragile ecosystem, locally and statewide. As she reported, zoo staff work with federal, state, and local conservation agencies, universities, other zoos, and the public to track, care for, and reintroduce these species to national parks, forests, and local parks. 

The California Red-Legged Frog. Photo courtesy of Marianne Hale 

And these joint conservation efforts are already paying off. As an example, Ms. Russell highlighted the zoo’s work with the California Red-Legged Frog, the largest native frog in the western United States and a threatened species. In the wild, one female Red-Legged Frog produces roughly 2,500 eggs, of which just two survive to adulthood. But at the zoo’s Conservation Center, 1,700 frog eggs yielded nearly 1,100 healthy adults, thanks to an innovative “head-starting” program. Zoo-reared frogs - along with other threatened turtles and insects - are then reintroduced to their native habitat and tracked by the zoo and its partners. 

So what? As Ms. Russell explained, we are just beginning to gain an understanding of the intricate balance of the ecosystem and the role these amphibians play in it. At the very least, they eat insects and are a food source for other predators. Commissioner Brian Van Horn - a self-proclaimed California Red-Legged Frog fan, veterinarian, and researcher - also noted these frogs are an umbrella species, similar to the proverbial canary in the coal mine. In other words, the Red-Legged Frogs are dying first and at an alarming rate. By protecting them, we can shield other animals that aren't yet endangered, but will be without intervention. Through its conservation work, the zoo and its partners are helping to save our planet, one frog, turtle, and insect at a time. 

Now what? Learn more about this important conservation work by visiting the zoo's website.  When the zoo reopens, visit its California Conservation Corridor to learn more or volunteer. You may also listen to or view the zoo’s full presentation on our commission website.

The San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare plans to host a new educational presentation each month. For details, please check our website. We hope you’ll join us online at our next commission meeting - and learn the what, so what, and now what of animal issues along with us!

For additional information about the Animal Commission, please visit our website at https://sfgov.org/animals/. Meeting Agendas, Minutes and Supporting Documentation can be found at https://sfgov.org/animals/meetings-1 (agendas for upcoming meetings are published within 72 hours prior to that meeting).

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Please be aware that the views and opinions expressed in this column are those of Commissioner Tobin and do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the Commission of Animal Control and Welfare