Habitat restored for gopher tortoises later became home to 500 endangered frogs

In a significant conservation effort, Mississippi wetlands welcomed the release of nearly 500 captive-reared dusky gopher frogs, marking the establishment of the sole active population in Hancock County. These frogs critically rely on gopher tortoise burrows for their survival. As private landowners take on a larger role in wildlife preservation, monitoring will be implemented to evaluate the stability of this new frog population.