Prison Inmates Raise Endangered Frogs With Greater Success Than Experts!

Two prison inmates in Washington State have discovered they have an extraordinary knack for endangered species TLC.

Jennifer Sullivan from the Seattle Times reports:

Since spring, Greer and fellow inmate Albert Delp have spent the bulk of their days inside a small fenced-off area at the Cedar Creek Corrections Center fussing over — and fattening — several dozen frogs. The two men are part of a project to bolster the dwindling population of the Oregon spotted frog, an animal once widespread in the Puget Sound area. The effort focuses on raising the frogs until they get big enough to no longer be a snack for natural predators. ‘They would like to re-establish them back at Fort Lewis and I’m part of the project,’ said Greer, who is serving time for robbery.

With guidance from a senior researcher from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and staff from nearby Evergreen State College, the two men started with 80 Oregon spotted frog eggs in early April. As the eggs grew into tadpoles then into frogs, the two men have been responsible for the frequent feedings and tank-water changes. The whole time they have taken detailed notes for state researchers.

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Photo: Mike Siegel, S. Times.