Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo shipped more than 12,000 tadpoles in May to support recovery of the endangered Puerto Rican crested toad, the sapo concho. The transfer, part of a captive-breeding program begun in 2017, placed tadpoles into vernal pools in Arecibo and Guánica after temperature-controlled transport. Public attention — including Bad Bunny’s Concho mascot — has raised awareness of threats such as habitat loss and climate-driven saltwater intrusion. Conservators hope to delist the species within the next decade.
Brookfield Zoo Sends Record 12,000+ Tadpoles to Puerto Rico to Help Endangered Sapo Concho
Photo Credit: Brookfield Zoo
The Brookfield Zoo in Chicago has shipped a record shipment of more than 12,000 tadpoles to Puerto Rico to support recovery efforts for the endangered Puerto Rican crested toad, commonly known on the island as the sapo concho (Peltophryne lemur).
Months after Super Bowl LX helped put the island’s only native toad in the spotlight, the zoo’s captive-breeding program — launched in 2017 — achieved its largest single transfer in May when staff sent the tadpoles to conservation partners in Puerto Rico, WBEZ reported.
How the Tadpoles Were Moved and Released
Zoo personnel transported the young amphibians in temperature-controlled boxes to ensure their safety during transit. Local partners then released the tadpoles into vernal pools in Arecibo and Guánica, sites chosen for their historical use by the species and suitability for rearing juveniles.
Why This Matters
Public visibility — most visibly boosted by Bad Bunny’s “Concho” mascot and recent media attention — has helped draw awareness and support for the species. Brookfield Zoo’s lead animal care expert, Mike Masellis, noted the toad’s profile has risen in recent years: “Five years ago, that wasn't really the case,” he said, adding, “I think every celebrity should probably be paired with an endangered species because it helps a lot.”
Ramón L. Rivera Lebrón, a biologist with Puerto Rico’s Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, emphasized that protecting the sapo concho also preserves habitat for native birds, reptiles and other wildlife and helps control insect populations. Restored native ecosystems can support biodiversity, local research and cultural pride for a species tightly linked to Puerto Rican identity.
Threats and Conservation Goals
Although the Puerto Rican crested toad was long presumed extinct until its rediscovery in 1966, it now faces renewed threats. Habitat loss, invasive species and predators, deforestation and gentrification all imperil the toad. Climate change is creating additional challenges: rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion are altering breeding ponds that were historically freshwater.
Masellis expressed optimism about measurable conservation outcomes: “The best thing about conservation is when it has an end date.” The Puerto Rican Crested Toad Conservancy aims to secure the species’ recovery to the point that it can be removed from the endangered list within the next decade.
What’s Next: Continued captive breeding, strategic releases, habitat restoration and community engagement will be essential to the toad’s long-term recovery. Increased public awareness — from local communities to international fans — remains a vital part of that effort.
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