On to freedom!
Posted onMay 13, 2026byAlyssa de Wit|Fraser Valley Wetlands, News and Events, Oregon Spotted Frog, Oregon Spotted Frog
What is the Oregon Spotted Frog Recovery Program? Since 2010, WPC has been breeding the endangered Oregon spotted frog at the Greater Vancouver Zoo, and reintroducing thousands of tadpoles and froglets back into wetlands in B.C.’s Fraser Valley. It takes years of careful observation, collaboration, ingenuity and sometimes a little luck to crack the code to breeding specific species. For several years, our progress was very limited, but our team persevered. Today, WPC has released over 64,000 tadpoles, froglets and eggs back into wild. We are turning the tide for this species.
WPC is thrilled to announce that after two months of monitoring breeding, egg laying, and development, 13,191 Oregon spotted frog tadpoles were released over three days at three sites! I can think of nothing more exciting in conservation than the release of individuals of endangered species into the wild. Let’s explore what led to this moment and what release day looks like.
In March, biologists from the province came to the Greater Vancouver Zoo to record weight and measurements from every Oregon spotted frog in WPC’s breeding population. The 30 females and 68 males were then combined into three tubs for breeding. March 8th marked the first egg mass laid, and March 25th marked the last. We watched in anticipation for signs of fertilization and development. To our excitement, approximately a week after laying, the embryos became elongated and began moving within their jelly coating. In early to mid April, 14,131 tadpoles hatched from 31 egg masses (females occasionally lay partial egg masses)! The tadpoles continued to develop, becoming more distinctive in shape rather than “sticks,” as seen in the photos below. Then finally at the end of April, our team released 12,891 tadpoles at two sites in Agassiz, and 300 in Harrison Mills.
(Left) Tadpoles shortly after hatching. (Right) Tadpoles just before we released them to the wild. Photos by A. deWit.
For our first release, on Monday, April 20th, WPC partnered with the Vancouver Aquarium, which also breeds Oregon spotted frogs, and with Provincial biologist Briar Hunter, to release tadpoles at a site in Agassiz. In the morning, Andrea, WPC’s Lead Biologist for B.C. Projects,, and 4 year volunteer, Kirk, collected 7,500 tadpoles by using a turkey baster (yes, the most scientific of tools!) to carefully suck up the tadpoles, transferring them into large buckets, and driving them to the release site. Outfitted with waders, everyone headed to an appropriate location to release the tadpoles, gently pouring the buckets into the stream.
Longtime volunteer Kirk, releases tadpoles into the wetland. Photo by A. Gielens.
Having missed out on that first release, I (Alyssa, Conservation Programs Assistant) went with Briar a week later to a release site in Harrison Mills, where we released 300 tadpoles. Geared up and ready to go, we arrived at the site to find that the water levels were surprisingly low. After a short trek through the wetlands, we found a spot with deep enough water and surrounding vegetation, perfect for the tadpoles to hide in. Briar takes the temperature of the stream first. To prevent cold shock in the tadpoles, we add stream water to the bucket and wait several minutes, allowing the tadpoles to acclimate to the new temperature. Now it’s time for release! After waiting a few minutes watching the tadpoles swim around and find hiding spots in their new home, we left the wetland and the tadpoles – now ready to start their own lives in the wild.
(Left) Briar checks the water temperature of the wetland. (Right) Briar checks the water temperature of the tadpole bucket. Photos by A. deWit.
The released tadpoles in their new home! Photo by A.deWit.
In addition to those releases, graduate student Joelle Krol was able to release 5,391 tadpoles as well! In case you missed it, Joelle is conducting research with WPC on Oregon spotted frogs and how the transition to the wild at different life stages (embryo vs. tadpole) impacts their survival. Collecting egg masses from WPC’s population at the zoo and transferring them to her site in Agassiz, she was then able to release the tadpoles that hatched out here! Joelle will continue to monitor 120 tadpoles at the zoo, and 240 tadpoles in the wild: 120 kept after hatching from egg masses on site in Agassiz and 120 transferred as tadpoles from the zoo, comparing their development. You can learn more about Joelle’s research by reading her blog, “Frog Detective on the Case.”
WPC has released 13,191 tadpoles out of the 14, 391 hatched in 2026! The remaining 240 are for Joelle’s research, and 700 are for head-starting, where they are cared for at the Greater Vancouver Zoo’s Conservation Corner by WPC staff, and will be released as froglets in the fall.
A special thank you to Jack S. Darville for his continued support through the Darville Frog Conservation Endowment Fund.
Alyssa de Wit
Conservation Programs Assistant – B.C. Projects
Alyssa was a western painted turtle nest monitor in 2025 and is excited to expand her knowledge and experience with the Oregon spotted frog and Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly as a conservation programs assistant. Alyssa has a BSc from UFV and has worked predominantly in endangered species breeding, monitoring, and education. She worked for 5+ years in spotted owl recovery and, in 2024, in grassland bird conservation in Ontario. In 2023, Alyssa road-tripped through New Zealand and volunteered at a rehabilitation centre in Australia for kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and more.
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