Safe harbor: translocating California red‐legged frogs to a climate refuge in Yosemite National Park

A successful translocation of California red-legged frogs (Rana draytonii) to Yosemite National Park demonstrates that climate refuges can serve as safe harbors for endangered species, even if marginally outside their historical range. The study challenged traditional restoration goals by prioritizing dynamic adaptation over literal historical baselines, addressing threats like drought, urbanization, and invasive predators, including American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus). Researchers combined ex situ conservation efforts—such as captive breeding and chytrid fungus inoculation studies at the San Francisco Zoo—with in situ translocation to establish a resilient population. The approach also highlighted the potential for low-cost egg-mass translocations in amphibians, offering a scalable model for biodiversity conservation amid rapid environmental change. This novel strategy not only advanced the species' recovery but also provided a framework for U.S. National Park Service to adopt flexible, forward-looking restoration methods in an era of climate uncertainty.

Adams, A. J., Grasso, R. L., & Mazur, R. L. (2023). Safe harbor: translocating California red‐legged frogs to a climate refuge in Yosemite National Park. Animal Conservation, 26(5), 606–608. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12863