The Clear Creek Management Area, about 100 miles southeast of San Jose, is one of the few remaining strongholds of the Central Coast population of the foothill yellow-legged frog. Now a small band of researchers is hatching an ambitious comeback for the amphibian.
Frogs leaped into the air and swam for cover as Paul Johnson strolled toward a stream crossing, a Jeep crawling slowly behind him. As the SUV climbed into the Griswold Hills from the San Joaquin desert, it crossed the creek another five times. Each time, Johnson, a wildlife biologist with the National Park Service, got out and shooed away dozens of frogs before the vehicle splashed through. Clear Creek, about 100 miles southeast of San Jose, is one of the few remaining strongholds of the Central
The Clear Creek Management Area, about 100 miles southeast of San Jose, is one of the few remaining strongholds of the Central Coast population of the foothill yellow-legged frog. Now a small band of researchers is hatching an ambitious comeback for the amphibian.