Keep the coquí alive!
About the author: Lina Younes has been working for EPA since 2002 and chairs EPA’s Multilingual Communications Task Force. Prior to joining EPA, she was the Washington bureau chief for two Puerto Rican newspapers and she has worked for several government agencies.
Editor’s note: like all our bloggers, and as stated on the “about” page, Lina is expressing her own opinion, not that of EPA in general.
Lea la versión en español a continuación de esta entrada en inglés.
Some links exit EPA or have Spanish content.
When my friend Jeff M. came back from Hawaii, he mentioned the Hawaiian-Puerto Rican controversy over the tiny Puerto Rican frog, the coquí-the Eleutherodactylus coquí.
The controversy or “national conflict” depending if you ask a Puerto Rican, made front page headlines several years ago when Puerto Rico got wind of Hawaii’s efforts to eradicate these innocent Puerto Rican frogs. How did they travel thousands of miles across the oceans? Apparently some innocent coquís got on a plant shipment from the tropical paradise in the Caribbean to a similar paradise thousands of miles away in the Pacific. Needless to say, in that tropical setting without any indigenous predators, these Puerto Rican coquis have multiplied abundantly!
These small frogs are known for their melodious nocturnal sounds in Puerto Rico. They have been the inspiration for numerous songs, stories, and poetry. These small amphibians have become an unofficial symbol of Puerto Rico. In fact, I just read a newspaper article in Puerto Rico, that the Sierra Club-PR and the University of Puerto Rico hosted an Earth Day event to promote the defense of the coquí.
Yet, the coquís-named after their musical chirping-cokée, cokée–have not received a warm aloha from our fellow U.S. citizens in Hawaii.
In fact, what is music to the ears of many Puerto Ricans became more than a amphibian cacophony over in the Pacific. In Hawaii, the coquí chants have been compared to the noise pollution caused by lawn mowers! That’s hard for me to conceptualize, given the fond memories of listening to the coquís at nighttime. I remember many a rainy night falling asleep to the symphony of these harmless creatures. They are so small and defenseless! But for the residents of the state of Hawaii, the Puerto Rican coquís are doomed for complete eradication and some of the methods are not benign at all
It’s true that the Puerto Rican coquí has become an invasive species in Hawaii, yet I still don’t see how coquís challenge Hawaiian wildlife. I still cannot understand why their chants are not music to the ears of the inhabitants of this Island State. Sad to say, it all boils down to one man’s friend is another man’s foe.
Nonetheless-please save the Puerto Rican coquí.
(UPDATE 7/15/2008 – see also Post-Hawaii Musings)
¡Qué viva el coquí!
Sobre la autor: Lina M. F. Younes ha trabajado en la EPA desde el 2002 y está a cargo del Grupo de Trabajo sobre Comunicaciones Multilingües. Como periodista, dirigió la oficina en Washington de dos periódicos puertorriqueños y ha laborado en varias agencias gubernamentales.
Cuando mi amigo Jeff M. regresó de Hawaí, mencionó la controversia entre Hawaí-Puerto Rico sobre la pequeña ranita puertorriqueña, el coquí-Eleutherodactylus coquí.
Esta controversia o “conflicto nacional” si le pregunta a un puertorriqueño, fue motivo de titulares de primera plana hace varios años atrás cuando Puerto Rico se enteró de los esfuerzos hawaianos por erradicar estos pequeños anfibios. ¿Cómo viajaron miles de millas por los océanos? Aparentemente unos inocentes coquíes estaban en un cargamento de plantas que viajaron del paraíso tropical en el Caribe a otro paraíso semejante miles de millas de distancia en el Pacífico. ¡Demás está decir que en ese entorno tropical sin enemigo autóctono en Hawaí, estos coquíes se multiplicaron abundantemente!
Estos pequeños anfibios se caracterizan por los sonidos nocturnos en Puerto Rico. Han servido de inspiración a numerosas canciones, cuentos, y poesías . Estos pequeños anfibios se han convertido en un símbolo extraoficial de Puerto Rico. De hecho, acabo de leer un artículo de periódico anunciando que el Sierra Club-PR y la Universidad de Puerto Rico auspiciaron un evento del Día del Planeta Tierra para promover la defensa del coquí.
Sin embargo, los coquíes-conocidos por su melodioso cantar-coquí, coquí-no han recibido un caluroso aloha de sus conciudadanos estadounidenses en Hawaí.
De hecho, lo que es música para los oídos de muchos puertorriqueños se convirtió en una cacofonía anfibia allá en el Pacífico. ¡En Hawaí, el cantar del coquí ha sido comparado a la contaminación de ruido ocasionado por las cortadoras de césped! Me es difícil conceptualizarlo dado los gratos recuerdos de escuchar a los coquíes al anochecer. Recuerdo muchas noches lluviosas quedarme dormida con la sinfonía de estas criaturas inofensivas. ¡Son pequeñas e indefensas! Pero para los residentes del estado de Hawaí, los coquíes puertorriqueños están condenados a erradicación completa y algunos de los métodos no son nada de benignos.
Es cierto que el coquí puertorriqueño se ha convertido en una especie invasora en Hawaí, pero todavía no veo cómo los coquíes amenazan la vida silvestre hawaiana. Tampoco entiendo el por qué su cantar no es música para los oídos de los habitantes de este estado isleño. Lamento decir, que la controversia se limita al hecho de que la criatura que es amiga para unos resulta enemiga de otros.
Independientemente de la clasificación-ayuden a salvar al coquí puertorriqueño.
Editor's Note: The opinions expressed in Greenversations are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.
Life is really interesting! What is horrible noise to some is a beautiful music to others. I am a puertorrican who lives in Michigan. I made sure to buy a CD that features coquis singing for the times when I miss Puerto Rico. The sound of the coqui is soothing to my soul and brings me back to many childhood nights. I guess attitude and biases make all the difference in the appreciation of this frog’s song.
Karen,
That’s what I was hoping to capture when I first wrote the blog back in May. I do confess that with many of the responses, I have become more sensitized to the concerns of our fellow citizens in Hawaii. Yes, the coquis are an invasive species, but when you think of the history of the world, almost everything, particularly in coastal areas, was an invasive species at some point in time.
If you go to the Web site where the latest article was published in Puerto Rico [http://www.vocero.com/noticia-2431-nueva_ofensiva_contra_el_coqu_en_hawaii.html] you will also see some heated comments on what is being done to the coquí en Hawaii–some pro and con– As you say, life is very interesting.
“Yes, the coquis are an invasive species, but when you think of the history of the world, almost everything, particularly in coastal areas, was an invasive species at some point in time.”
Just what is the point of this comment? Tra-la-la oh well that’s life? Because you have some affection for this species that has no predators here, no check on its population–NONE–your comment is some excuse for doing nothing?
Are you proposing that nature on Hawaii island will EVOLVE to deal with the problem? In the 21st century? Are you serious?
Or are you simply saying that surrender is a terrific option because invasive species always win out in the end, so why make a big deal out of it? Well, thank you!
YOU work for the Environmental PROTECTION Agency? Forgive us cold-hearted, unloving, nature-slaying Hawaiian residents for wondering just what it is you think you are protecting since it sure doesn’t sound like you mean OUR environment. But we’re happy to know that based on your happy childhood that you think that a massive unwanted change in our condition is completely cool, or even desirable, but certainly not a problem.
How could people possibly be losing faith in government helping them solve problems, it’s a mystery. Obviously the real problem isn’t the coqui, it’s just our bad attitude! (Uh, wow)
Yes, please save the Puerto Rican coqui–in Puerto Rico.
While you’re at it, please save Hawaiian insects and natural ecosystem processes.
“I still don’t see how coquís challenge Hawaiian wildlife.” “Still?” Read the literature. In fact, PLEASE read the literature–especially before you make such comments as a representative of the EPA.
At what point do we accept the demise of (rare–or even common) native species–and the subsequent loss of biodiversity–because of problems that we (as humans) have created?
RE: “almost everything…was an invasive species at some point in time.”
Simply not true, in the sense that “invasive species” (see the Presidential Executive Order [http://tinyurl.com/PeoReInvasiveSpecies] that officially defines this term for official purposes in the U.S.) is limited to only those species which arrived in an ecosystem AS A RESULT OF HUMAN ACTIVITY.
Regardless of how we define terms, we MUST (operationally) define them so we’re using a given term to mean the same thing within a given context.
…and–regardless of your disclaimers later in the thread–your “about the author” blurb should EXPLICITLY include a disclaimer of your statements being representative in any way of the EPA’s position (and the EPA [webmaster or other authority] should ENSURE that this is the case).
Larry, I have some large coqui pics up on my blog.
http://www.coquifrognews.blogspot.com
Also some info on chickens used to successfully control the frogs in certain areas, and a plea to Dwight n Church parent company to Arm n Hammer asking them to have a look at Clorox and the Amphibian Ark Project teaming up!
I just returned from visiting Puerto Rico, where I stayed at my mother-in-law’s home in the mountains. I did not have the priviledge of growing up in Puerto Rico, but the chorus of coqui’s at night after rainfall put me right to sleep every time. In fact, if I could find a way, I would set up a terrarium in my home to keep them.
But I definitely see the Hawaii side of this argument. What I have seen and heard on the “pro-coqui in Hawaii” camp is emotional. It is difficult to argue for invasive species when some of the greatest harm to the natural environment (besides polution and the destruction of natural habitat) has been caused by foreign species. Just look at the destructive consequences of mussels and calerpera (sp?) to marine enviroments and even the harm caused in Puerto Rico by the house cat and introduction of foreign snakes (pets released) to the Puerto Rican parrot! Last I heard, there was a very real possibility of it going extinct within my lifetime.
I do have one question- how much harm is being caused to the Hawaiian insect and amphibian populations by the erradication attempts using Citric Acid, hot water, bulldozing, etc? I can only geuss that the global problems that these species face are also an issue in Hawaii and that great harm is being done to their populations and natural life cycle?
Given the length of time since the initial post and the continued interest in this topic, I’ve added a line at the top reiterating that Lina speaks for herself and not all of EPA. I’ve also linked to the About page, which carries a longer explanation.
Alfredo, Habitat destruction be it by man or nature affects the species here in Hawaii, although Hawaii is not as polluted yet it’s only a matter of looking at the “plastic swamp” between here and the Continental US to see what’s coming. My naive thought is that citric acid and hydrated lime were not here while the spp. were evolving but sodium and carbon dioxide was..maybe not in a compound but still available…and sodium bicarbonate is quickly broken down..stretching it further, it may also help with the acid rain from the ongoing Kilauea eruption as it is used to clean battery acid terminals in your car.
First, I’d like to acknowledge Lina’s change of stance on this issue. I feel she understands now what the big deal is.
I live on the coqui infested Big Island of Hawaii. Sadly, it will never be the same unless the coqui eat themselves out of house and home and a balance is achieved.
But…”There is no such thing as a free lunch”.
In Hilo and most of the east island, the chirping is everywhere. There are thousands going off at once, much more than their Puerto Rican relatives. When I call people at night and they have coqui, I can’t hear them because of the background noise. It is that bad (deafening).
They really like it here because this is one of the rainiest environments on earth. Where I live, it is not uncommon to get 200+ inches of rain a year. The temperature stays fairly constant.
But, I live at a 2,800′ elevation, in a very rural area, and is it cooler up here. They don’t care for cool too much. There are 4 or 5 pockets of coqui on my 2 mile street and I dread them moving closer. The closest one is 1/4 mile away and I can barely make them out at night, but I can still hear them. If my neighbors would “take care” of them, I wouldn’t have to worry, but they either like them, not bothered by, or just plain lazy.
Don’t get me wrong, I love frogs. Next door to me is a natural pond where bull frogs breed. A few times a year, I listen to them croaking, a lot like the Budweiser frogs. I look forward to them, but at the same time, I can hear crickets, cows mooing, dogs barking from a distance, a car passing, or anything else that goes bump in the night. I don’t want to lose that. I will fight any coqui moving in. Sometimes I cry at the thought I will lose this peace and quiet, there are so few places left like this. There is a feeling of dread in the air.
I watched the video sent by Kookee. It must look horrible to anyone who doesn’t understand what these little guys are doing to our peace of mind. I, too, consider myself a peaceful person. But when a caterpillar is chewing on my plants, I don’t have any problem putting them at rest. Many people have told me they are used to coqui, which means they have given up.
I warn my friends and family on the other islands to fight them like hell when are detected, because that is what we on the Big Island didn’t do.
Pgutzeit– I admit this has been a learning process for me. I’m researching the issue and plan to write more on the issue. Stay tuned. I appreciate everyone’s comments. This has been the longest running Greenversation dialogue so far. Keep your comment coming!
Mele Kalikimaka/Merry Christmas
Here’s a funny look at ‘The Night BeFrog Xmas’ or Saturnalia….
Kookee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkAdTkASN5I
There are no native amphibians in Hawaii, in fact, the biggest problem is that coquies represent a new kind of invasive generalist predator, and at such high densities (2-3 times Puerto Rico), a dense population can eat over 90,000 prey items (insects and other invertebrates)/night/hectare. The citric acid will not kill most insects because citric cannot penetrate the chitinous exoskeleton. Hot water treatments are only done on nursery plants which most likely will have no native species (most natives are in the forests). Bulldozing and other environmental disruptions has the potential to affect any species, but because most habitat management recommended by the experts concerns areas in residential areas, it should not affect native species. In any case, any type of control effort should be carefully scrutinized and only educated actions should be considered.
yes, it was funny.
here’s another Puerto Rican coqui entry–you can hear the coqui at the beginning. Xmas carols PR style (parrandas)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SUx14pc5BM
Actually–I just did a search on YouTube and found this PSA that uses the PR coqui to increase environmental awareness in the Islands of Puerto Rico.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RRVEz80Nao
Here’s a PR song inspired by the coqui. As I mentioned, this little amphibian fosters “national pride” in PR. Alas, its invasive nature in Hawaii is quite different.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnIKeh7V3DQ&NR=1
I made a few more video’s showing some universal situations that may help PR with their frog decline.
This one involves the Roof Rat eating coqui’s(predator).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1meweyE8oE
This one shows the devasting effect carbon dioxide has on frogs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2TuLb9chus
We all need to be concerned with our native species and the way we treat our waste products, you can see how fast the CO2 knocks down the frog(less than 2 minutes). If left in that environment they would not have revived. The Roof Rat can go anywhere the coqui can, once it got a taste it didn’t stop till all 5 were gone. I don’t like the possibility of the brown tree snake arriving here with a healthy rat population to feed on as well as native birds ect.
http://www.coquifrognews.blogspot.com
Dear Kookee,
Mele Kalikimaka/Merry Christmas
Wasn’t aware there was so much footage on the coqui on YouTube!
Merry Christmas to you also Lina, As another island community we share in the juggling of progress and the health of the island with all its inhabitants. In studying the coqui I’ve found many things that affect them, good/bad but all very applicable to the island ecosystem. I try to film what I can to document each finding and have branched out to other concerns. You can see how the build up of CO2 can affect the frog since it is heavier than oxygen it sits on the forest floor where the winds can’t disapate it which will at best make them vulnerable to predators in their stuper.
http://www.coquifrognews.blogspot.com
Very interesting video–The Vanishing Frog; with Jeff Corwin.
it brings us back to the basic question–why are some frogs disappearing and others are resisting environmental challenges in the same areas. Wonder where the coqui falls in the scheme of things. There are some species that are threatened near extinction in Puerto Rico, while others have learned to live within the urban sprawl. Wonder how the situation will be in Hawaii down the road.
Even eradication is extremely challenging if feasible, it’s totally dependent on how rural your situation. They’ve taken over Waipio Valley, there are thousands of acres owned by Kamehameha Schools on which the coqui has proliferated without restraint. They move on the backs of pickup trucks. The Big Island has vast areas of land where there are few inhabitants. Everyone is aware of the problem, I personally can vouch that they are growing more resistant to cooler temperatures and teenagers in my area have mentioned how big the coquis are getting . . . they shrug and say “it has no predators, what else?” It isn’t fatalism, it’s reality.
I have real doubts that the actual physical effort of people can solve this problem, the scale is unbelievable now. Nature is the only long-term way to solve it. Does anything but the tree snake eat a coqui? Is there anything on the tree of life, any point at which the two things intersect (coquis and things that eat them) that could be managed here? Can we be smart about it and actually do something effective?
And your last post hasn’t been lost on me, Lina . . . I have observed to many people that Hawaii must indeed be a special place if the amphibians still find a home here and in so many other places on the planet they are failing. It’s why we cherish the place so! That’s why we have just got to have balance. Eradication isn’t necessary if we somehow get it under control, there’s room on the Tree for everything. (except we hope snakes . . . here) ;-)
Happy Holidays all.
Balance is key. I know and there are so many threats, human and non-human, that challenge the much needed equilibrium. For years, we often heard that coquis could ONLY survive in Puerto Rico. Obviously, this popular myth has been proven wrong.
Happy New Year Lina, I think the intent of the myth is still intact as evidence to your love for what this creature represents to all natives of Puerto Rico. It unifies you worldwide and I’d say that it still holds true, even tho it can survive in Hawaii, the heart is still firmly rooted on your island.
kookee
Kookee
Thanks for your kind words. Happy New Year to you too.
To my fellow coqui bloggers–Islanders and Mainlanders alike
Thanks for participating in this Greenversations. It has been our longest running green dialogue since we launched the blog last spring. Just wanted to give you a heads up–hope to have a new blog on the Coqui debate next week. Please stay tuned!
Is there a word in Puerto Rico for “din”? Because that’s the best way to describe the sound of the coqui in Hawaii – a din. Perhaps in Puerto Rico it’s an occasional, gentle chirp outside an open window that lulls one to sleep. People in Puerto Rico may count themselves lucky if they don’t know what a “din” is.
Some thoughts….
I once had a friend who lived by the freeway and I wondered how they put up with the noise. Their answer when asked about the noise is…. they don’t hear it anymore, they got used to it. That doesn’t changed the fact the people who don’t live near the freeway will think the noise unbearable and the people who live next to the freeway will not hear it or worse yet thinks the droning sound of cars going by is comforting.
I believe we should always try to keep out invasive species as much as possible. We don’t know what the ecological outcome will arise from the coquis, but if you think about it logically they must be displacing something. Is Hawaii’s eco-system strong enough to sustain another predatory reptile? Probably not given the amount of species here already on the extinction list. For one to live another must die.
Defending the coquis right to live…….. do you care what the coquis are displacing, or do you live by the rule that the strongest will prevail. When do you stop defending invasive species…. venomous snakes?
Do I want the coquis in Hawaii, no. Will they stay here, probably. So my sweet childhood memories of a still quiet night will be just that a sweet memory…..
Aloha. Hawaii Resident–As I’ve mentioned before, this whole experience has been an eye-opening. No, I’m not in favor of unleashing invasive species. It’s incredible what this small frog has generated. It’s ironic that we both cherish our childhood nocturnal memories–with and without the coqui.
Hate is a very sad emotion. It eats away the happiness in you. Please, remember, hate can be controled. Also, I love the story of the mutating coqui. Maybe they might become crime fighters? teach them english! wait! did I say English? hmmm, invasive language? or was english the original language? hahahahaha. If you hate Coquis you hate race, cultures, language, and people who do not think like you.
Hmmmm, that reminds me of somebody. wait! Germany, ww2, ……sorry can’t rember who.
Well, in terms of language, I guess they first spoke Taíno, the language of the indigenous people of Puerto Rico. Or perhaps, they already know Spanish and English. That accounts for the variety in their chants.
Just found this article from a PR newspaper regarding legal action being taken in Puerto Rico to protect an endangered coquí species in PR, Eleutherodactylus juanriveroi, whose wetlands habitat is being threatened by urban sprawl.
I believe the coquis which have invaded and prospered in Hawaii over the yaers belong mostly to the Eleutherodacylus portoricensis and Eleutherodactylus coqui
http://www.vocero.com/noticia-21562-batalla_legal_por_coqu.html
Our scientific colleagues from Hawaii can probably shed some light on this.
I have not seen a response to my comment on mutating coquis/Ninja coquis comment. Hmmm, I wonder if the chupacabra did not go to Hawaii because of the Ninja Coqui! Anyways, I love the coqui, the palm trees, wait! Palm trees? are the palm trees originally from hawaii? WHo cares? Let us enjoy all of nature (including the beutiful Coqui) and bless God for the beutiful state of Hawaii. Wiki, Tiki, and Aloha to all.
PS: Thank you for letting me post my comments, Lina.
The chupacabra? Hadn’t head about that one in a while. I still think mutations are a possibility, but I am not a scientist. Would like some input from my colleagues though. Anyone?
Just saw a Website identifying coquís in Puerto Rico that have virtually disappeared and their changs haven’t been heard in years. These are: Eleutherodactylus Eneida, Eleutherodactylus Karlschmidti, Eleutherodactylus Jasperi, and three others that are threatened: Eleutherodactylus Cooki, Eleutherodactylus Locustus, and Eleutherodactylus Richmondi. Their Spanish common names are: coquí de eneida, coquí palmeado, coquí dorado del cayey and coquí guajón, coquí martillito, coquí caoba.
If you want to learn more, visit: http://www.kongaloid.org/archives/1997/03/entry_27.html .
To listen to the PR coquís: http://www.kongaloid.org/coquicd/coqui.mp3
Very intersting article. My inference to the article in the Link you posted gave me a new train of thought. It says if the coqui is successfully exported to another country it never sings again. hmmmm, however, it sings in Hawaii. Now, I am no scientist or guru of any religion. But, why is the coqui happy (sings) in Hawaii? Maybe, just maybe, Puerto Rico and Hawaii have something in common? Something that some racist eyeballs cant see. I hope someone can provide me with the answer.
Why does the coqui sing in Hawaii and Puerto Rico only?
sincerely,
- Masters
Don’t have an answer–especially not a scientific one. Perhaps the explanation is that the island setting is very similar. Perhaps the belief that they only sing in Puerto Rico (and now Hawaii) is common folklore rather than a scientific fact.
Answers? Anyone?
I am doing research for my Environmental Science class and have been reading many different sources on research done in Hawaii on how to eradicate the Coqui from their islands. I could not help but to shed some tears over the horrific pictures and accounts of the killings. For the life of me I cannot understand the hatred that is being aimed at the Coqui’s in Hawaii.
I have to admit that I am biased since I can still remember the first visit I made to Puerto Rico with my grandparents and the excitement I felt when I finally heard the famous Coqui’s in concert on my first night there. I went on to live there for many years and now when I go back to visit my family (I am now in Texas) the first thing that makes me feel “back home” is the sound of the Coqui’s welcoming me back.
Could not agree more! The drug problems on the islands in my opinion could use this much vigorous protesting and action to more benefit for the citizens of Hawaii. Fight Meth not coqui’s!
Wandaliz–Totally understand that welcoming feeling of the Coquí chants in Puerto Rico. Obviously, the Hawaiian experience is different. Good luck with your research.
You can add the local population of honey bees in Hawaii which are threatened by a mite to the list and that the coqui here will eat the faster moving bees when they find a nest. There have been unsubstantiated reports of tennis ball size coqui’s…which brings to mind “the attack of the killer tomatoes”. When questioned the reports seem to be genuine, from people who have seen coqui’s and know the difference between a bufo/american bullfrog ect.. A happy frog is a singing frog..the humidity/temperature/insect population/lack of natural predators ect…what’s not to sing about?
Also the USDA Wildlife in Hilo finished the test on sodium bicarbonate and found it 100 percent effective against the coqui, and cheaper than either citric acid or hydrated lime. The recession will keep this on the back burner but the longer it sits the worse things will get, it’s very similar to waiting for someone else to save Puerto Rico’s vanishing frogs, raise some and you’ll see what they need to survive, I’ve learned alot since doing so these last years and every time I go out I learn something new. Sterile technique will keep them safe in captivity till someone gets a handle on what’s affecting them, and it isn’t what we’re doing in Hawaii. You want coqui’s? get the permits and an address to ship them to in PR and you can have all you want…100/1000…honest.
Aloha, Kookee
Have they started administering the sodium bicarbonate?
Would be nice if we could ship them back to PR, but don’t think that’s happening anytime soon.
L
Interesting article on coquí species threatened in PR http://twurl.nl/8jr3ay
Thanks for the link. I found this one that you may find useful.
http://www.primerahora.com/XStatic/primerahora/template/wapdetalle.aspx?p=n&id=314631&pg=2
Thanks, Kookee
Yes, interesting link. BTW–just got back from PR. Heard the melodious coqui near the hotels area. Was music into my ears. Went to Old San Juan at night–no trees–no coquis. Sad.
El Nino is back and playing with the weather, the coqui here don’t sing when it’s dry/hot…or when it’s cold, even with rain. Looks like San Juan has been dry lately and by the hotels I’d imagine they water the plants/grounds. No trees? What have they done?
Have they made a ruling on the 6% hydrated lime yet…
San Juan has not been that dry. Since there are hardly any trees in OLD San Juan, I didn’t hear the coquis. In the Condado area, there are some trees and the coquis greeted me at nighttime. Will check about the 6% hydrated lime.
Aloha
Even downtown there are coquis in the planters ect…they don’t need much to survive here in the way of trees/vegetation tho in PR there are natural predators that without the vegetation the coqui can’t hide and since they are singular the “group eyes” like other frogs don’t apply. Thanks for checking on the HL.
Still no decision on hydrated lime. Will follow up.
BTW–an in heaven now. In the hotel where I’m staying in Puerto Rico, there are plenty of trees/plants in the lobby and the coqui sings at night. I’m pretty happy now. Went to El Yunque Forest and you could even hear them during the late afternoon.