Nico Gonzalez and Andrea Navarro, inspecting the ponds in search of Bullfrog. © Liliana Ortiz

The goal of this project is the removal of the bullfrog as part of our long-term project to restore the wetland at La Misión.

I plan to eradicate bullfrog using several proven techniques: a) Hunting with air rifles; and b) Egg mass and tadpole extractions. Eradication actions will take place once a month for two nights, for 10 months, by two teams of 3 persons each. We will humanely euthanize all bullfrogs depending on the life stage and capture method. When possible, the sacrificed organisms will be dissected to investigate bullfrog diets, which can help document their impact on the native wildlife.

Native amphibian monitoring will be used to measure the success of the project. This monitoring will occur the same days as bullfrog eradication efforts. It is expected that at the end of the 10 months of eradication, there will be an increase in the native amphibian population. In addition, I will conduct environmental education workshops with key stakeholders, on the effects of exotic species and the importance of restoring and conserving the wetland

This will be the first bullfrog eradication in Baja California, I will work closely with California advisors with over 60 years of collective experience in bullfrog eradication. This project will help the recovery of native species and will generate information and methodology that can be used and extrapolated in other areas of Mexico