Date: 8/6/08
Contact: Edwin Lyngar
Phone: (775) 688-1548

GAME WARDENS SEIZE PROHIBITED AFRICAN FROGS FROM TRUCKEE MEADOWS RESIDENCES

Game wardens with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) seized 119 prohibited African clawed frogs from three residences in the Reno area in an investigation completed Saturday.

It is illegal to possess African clawed frogs in Nevada as they pose a serious danger to native frogs and ecosystems if they escape from captivity. The state is not currently pursuing charges against the people who possessed the frogs in these three cases because they are fully cooperating with law enforcement in effort to get any and all prohibited frogs off the streets.

“We are very pleased we were able to seize them before they were circulated to people in the area and possibly escaped into the wild,” said Cameron Waithman, game warden captain with the Division of Law Enforcement at NDOW. African clawed frogs grow about as large as bullfrogs and can destroy entire ecosystems by voraciously eating native fish, amphibians and just about anything they can swallow. Scientists also believe these frogs carry and spread an African fungus that has decimated frog populations worldwide, according to Waithman.

Anyone in possession of these frogs should contact NDOW to turn them in before they can do harm to Nevada’s ecosystem. Because of the danger these frogs pose, people who knowingly keep these frogs will be subject to prosecution. Fines for possessing these types of amphibians go as high as six months in jail and a $500 fine. People who up until now have been unaware of the laws are strongly encouraged to turn the frogs into NDOW.

“If people turn these frogs in voluntarily, we don’t have an interest in writing them tickets,” said Waithman. “However, if we find even more people involved with keeping and selling these frogs, we will prosecute at the conclusion of our investigations. These amphibians really are a threat to Nevada, and we have a duty to seize any and all that we find.”

People with information on these frogs or who have frogs to turn in can contact NDOW through the Operation Game Thief Hotline at (800) 992-3030.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.