We have some Very Good and Very Bad News...

This week was supposed to be an update video and an update post discussing the care for the Gray Army and Dumpy Family, but that did not happen. Instead of that we had a serious event that has completely changed the PA Woods Community.

As you know if you've followed my posts about all of my frogs and toads is that they all have a nematode parasite that has continued to attack them for some around 2 years and for others over a year. The medication the dewormer is very strong and can harm a frog just as much as help.

Bane and Melania both have the parasite. Bane was positive and Melania showed physical signs of having it with a decrease in weight and refusal to eat for over a month. So with them living with the other tree frogs it was in their best interest to be treated. Sadly this didn't help everyone.

Bane looks to have bounced back from the parasites and newly named tree frogs Dante and Meredith also bounced back. They all look great and may be very healthy right now. Melania yesterday began eating again and looks to rebound. However I have some very very bad news.

Christian did not make it and he is the first animal to lose the battle to the parasite. This was a devastating reminder as to what time of year is coming and how this parasite is still here. Christian was one of my original tree frogs rescued from a home that was bleached and taken down (he lived by a suburban swimming pool.)

It's devastating because here was a tree frog who looked so beautiful and I had initially thought was on his way to being worm free. There were high hopes for Christian. He was going to be a huge part of showcasing the Frog Forests. Christian was an ambassador to all Gray tree frogs. His personality and attitude were unique. He was always the little guy being smaller then Bane (gray caught with him.)

The goal was to hibernate Christian and to allow more little baby Christians to run around having his genes and making some very impressive offspring. This dream will die with him. He was a part of so much and was always a bright spot for me as his keeper. He will be deeply missed and those of us who know him are mourning his loss from the parasites too. Even though he was quarantined we tried to make the best of it for him and he was just singing about 2-3 weeks ago. This is a huge blow as one of the most dynamic personalities is lost.

While the mourning continues there is a job to be done with the remaining 4 gray tree frogs. Maybe we couldn't save Christian but he will be the reminder of what we are fighting for and why we fight hard. Nobody else should pass on as everyone even the toads are doing well. It's going to be difficult having to plan every month a fecal test for multiple animals, but we are going to do 3-4 tests and then try to hibernate the Gray Army and Toads. When we know they at least appear to be clean we will as I said before treat the Dumpy Family and Skink Dynasty. We will fight all winter while the native frogs sleep. Hopefully we can destroy this parasite and at least rid the exotics of it.

The next goal will be to chase this parasite like trying to run someone down in a marathon. We will be methodical, patient, but still aggressive. Regardless of the timeframe we know we are still fighting and now we have Christian to dedicate the fight to. Even though he lost his battle we know the war is not over. Now is the time to launch a severe strike to the nematodes. It's hard battling something you can't see and hoping to win. But with having faith and believing in these frogs and toads there is a desire and an urgent motivation to push back and fight harder.

I'm sorry to the PA Woods Community for this loss and it's a deep blow losing such an important frog. He was truly loved and cherished and he will not be forgotten by me. I have a feeling I let him down, myself, and the PA Woods Community. It's been a very difficult time with this. I will give even more of an effort from here on out.

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