|
|
Share | Tweet |
Rare Puerto Rico Coqui Frog To Receive Protections Under Legal Accord
Washington D.C. - The Center for Biological Diversity and the Maunabo Development Committee have reached a legal settlement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in a lawsuit under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). As a result of the settlement approved by Washington D.C. Federal District Court Judge Richard W. Roberts, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will prepare a Recovery Plan for the coqui guajon, also known as the Puerto Rico rock frog, by November 2004 and make a Critical Habitat determination for the species by September 2006.
The coqui guajon (Eleutherodactylus cooki) was listed by the FWS as Threatened under the ESA on June 11, 1997. The FWS declined to designate Critical Habitat for the guajon at that time, in violation of the ESA. Additionally, the FWS failed to prepare a Recovery Plan for the guajon, also a violation of the ESA. The lawsuit was filed on June 10, 2003. The settlement was approved by Judge Roberts on February 5, 2004.
The coqui guajon is a rare frog which occurs only in Southeastern Puerto Rico in the municipalities of Maunabo, Yabucoa, San Lorenzo, and Humacao. The guajon occurs in caves and rock grottos known as "guajonales." The guajon is the only one of the Puerto Rico coqui species to occur in caves and grotto formations.
There were originally sixteen coqui frog species in Puerto Rico. Three are believed to be extinct today and many of the remaining thirteen are believed to be rare or declining.
Coquies are much revered and beloved in Puerto Rico. Coqui artwork and testimonials to the importance and majesty of coquies are ubiquitous throughout Puerto Rico.