Park Service to Kill Trout to Save Frogs
October 30th, 2009
Service says poison trout to save frogs
SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK (AP) — Park officials are proposing poison to save a native species of frog in the Sierra Nevada.
The National Park Service wants to pour poison into as many as 80 lakes to eradicate trout that eat the mountain yellow-legged frogs.
Rangers say a preliminary effort to kill off trout in 11 lakes in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks has allowed the frog population to rebound. They say other species that compete with the nonnative fish — including some reptiles and birds — also are returning in larger numbers.
Some outdoor and environmental groups fear poisoning the lakes could alter the ecosystem and risk harming insects and other amphibians and are urging park officials to consider alternative methods.
The National Park Service proposal is open to public comment through Nov. 21.
