… Yellow-legged frogs were once one of the most abundant animals in the alpine habitats of the Sierra Nevada. But for the past decade, the Oakland Zoo has been raising individuals from the now-endangered species and releasing them to the wild as a way to boost their numbers in the aftermath of a deadly disease that has decimated 90% of their population. Known as chytridiomycosis, or the chytrid fungus, the disease leads to “devastating effects” and has contributed to the greatest loss of biodiversity ever caused by a pathogen. … After getting swabbed for the disease one last time, they were transported to their final destination: Laurel Lake at Sequoia and Kings National Park.  

Other conservation news:

• Mountain Democrat (Placerville, Calif.): American River Conservancy marks decade of volunteer-led water monitoring in the Cosumnes watershed
• The Modesto Bee (Calif.): A different type of salmon turned up on the Tuolumne River. Why it’s a good thing