Hundreds of toads hop free, offering hope for at-risk animal
Hundreds of toads hop free, offering hope for at-risk animal
Updated 2:49 pm, Wednesday, June 1, 2016
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Photo: Ryan Dorgan, AP
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FILE--In this July 16, 2015, file photo, a large Wyoming toad looks out from inside its enclosure at the Saratoga National Fish Hatchery in Saratoga, Wyo. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to release Wyoming toads from the hatchery near Laramie, Wyo., Wednesday, June 1, 2016. The release of more than 900 Wyoming toads could aid future research into helping the endangered species and other amphibians resist a devastating fungus. (Ryan Dorgan/Casper Star-Tribune via AP, file) MANDATORY CREDIT
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CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Wildlife officials are releasing more than 900 toads in Wyoming, saying they could help researchers find ways for the endangered species and other amphibians to resist a devastating fungus.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are freeing the toads Wednesday at three places, including the Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The toads were raised in a national facility.
Some of the toads will be temporarily confined to cages to keep them safe from predators.
The goal is not only to boost toad numbers but to establish a population that will aid research into how amphibians can better resist chytrid (KYE'-trid) fungus. The fungus has devastated amphibian species worldwide in recent years.
http://www.chron.com/news/science/article/Hundreds-of-toads-hop-free-offering-hope-for-7957320.php