WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Scientists look for cause behind frog deformities (Sterling-WTNH) _ Deformed frogs -- they're turning up everywhere. So far there are few answers from a new report which studied the problem in a Connecticut pond. The natural mystery that's baffling scientists: What's causing the mutations, and how widespread is the problem? A high percentage of the deformed frogs were found last summer at porter pond in Sterling, and scientists spent the year gathering information. Researchers are still trying to figure out the cause to this mystery. News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer reports. This is where Connecticut scientists are trying to solve a mystery, why some frogs are being found without 2 eyes while others have an extra or missing limb. Puzzling questions arose 2 years ago when dozens of deformed frogs were found in Porter Pond located in the remote town of Sterling. Hank Gruner, Herpetologist: "It may be an early warning sign that something is amiss in the environment and I think that is the concern of scientists." In response the Department of Environmental Protection quickly put together a coordinated study with two specific facets to try and identify the problem.. Gruner: "one was to try to determine what was happening in Porter Pond to take additional samples, not only to survey frogs but to start to look at the water quality. The second facet is how widespread is this." Herpetologist Hank Gruner with the Science Center of Connecticut helped monitor the frogs at various sites throughout Connecticut. An usually high percentage were found at Porter Pond, so that became the focus. But the problem isn't just here. Currently 39 states have reported malformed frogs. Scientists are looking at a variety of possible causes among them the use of herbicides and pesticides an increase in ultra violet radiation and the loss of wetlands. Gruner: "It's hard to say. That is one thing, and I don't think any evidence shows even closely that here is one thing that it could be." But the studies did lead scientists and water quality experts on project to begin monitoring water quality at Porter Pond. While it doesn't feed into anyone's water supply. and most people don't swim here, it is a place where people fish. Scientists didn't find any problems with the fish. Fred Banach, DEP Water Quality: "What we were asked to do is to take a look at whether there is anything in the water resources any pollutant that might be contributing to the frogs deformities." Once water samples were gathered they were analyzed at the health department labs. Banach: "It may lead us to drawing, getting information about whether there is cause of other environmental problems in the future, or whether there is any public health implications." At this point scientists don't believe the deformities in Connecticut are caused by parasites, a finding in other parts of the country. The particular type of malformation that the parasite causes is not the same kind found in Connecticut. Gruner: "We really need to look at these issues and sort through them and say ah-haaaaa, this is what it is." Banach: "The data so far has been inconclusive. What it has been able to tell us is we have to devote the time to get better informations" So far the study has shown there are not widespread malformations across Connecticut, but this summer the work will continue as scientists try to answer the questions that are baffling scientists nationwide The U.S Department of the Interior has put together a task force to look into the malformed and declining frog populations nationally. The department asked for $8 million to help conduct further studies. They also set up a web site for people interested in finding out more about the issue. You can log on at www.frogweb.gov Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Scientists look for cause behind frog deformities
(Sterling-WTNH) _ Deformed frogs -- they're turning up everywhere. So far there are few answers from a new report which studied the problem in a Connecticut pond. The natural mystery that's baffling scientists: What's causing the mutations, and how widespread is the problem? A high percentage of the deformed frogs were found last summer at porter pond in Sterling, and scientists spent the year gathering information. Researchers are still trying to figure out the cause to this mystery.
News Channel 8's Jayne Saffer reports.

This is where Connecticut scientists are trying to solve a mystery, why some frogs are being found without 2 eyes while others have an extra or missing limb. Puzzling questions arose 2 years ago when dozens of deformed frogs were found in Porter Pond located in the remote town of Sterling.

Hank Gruner, Herpetologist: "It may be an early warning sign that something is amiss in the environment and I think that is the concern of scientists."

In response the Department of Environmental Protection quickly put together a coordinated study with two specific facets to try and identify the problem..

Gruner: "one was to try to determine what was happening in Porter Pond to take additional samples, not only to survey frogs but to start to look at the water quality. The second facet is how widespread is this."

Herpetologist Hank Gruner with the Science Center of Connecticut helped monitor the frogs at various sites throughout Connecticut. An usually high percentage were found at Porter Pond, so that became the focus.

But the problem isn't just here. Currently 39 states have reported malformed frogs.

Scientists are looking at a variety of possible causes among them the use of herbicides and pesticides an increase in ultra violet radiation and the loss of wetlands.

Gruner: "It's hard to say. That is one thing, and I don't think any evidence shows even closely that here is one thing that it could be."

But the studies did lead scientists and water quality experts on project to begin monitoring water quality at Porter Pond. While it doesn't feed into anyone's water supply. and most people don't swim here, it is a place where people fish. Scientists didn't find any problems with the fish.

Fred Banach, DEP Water Quality: "What we were asked to do is to take a look at whether there is anything in the water resources any pollutant that might be contributing to the frogs deformities."

Once water samples were gathered they were analyzed at the health department labs.

Banach: "It may lead us to drawing, getting information about whether there is cause of other environmental problems in the future, or whether there is any public health implications."

At this point scientists don't believe the deformities in Connecticut are caused by parasites, a finding in other parts of the country. The particular type of malformation that the parasite causes is not the same kind found in Connecticut.

Gruner: "We really need to look at these issues and sort through them and say ah-haaaaa, this is what it is."

Banach: "The data so far has been inconclusive. What it has been able to tell us is we have to devote the time to get better informations"

So far the study has shown there are not widespread malformations across Connecticut, but this summer the work will continue as scientists try to answer the questions that are baffling scientists nationwide

The U.S Department of the Interior has put together a task force to look into the malformed and declining frog populations nationally. The department asked for $8 million to help conduct further studies.

They also set up a web site for people interested in finding out more about the issue. You can log on at www.frogweb.gov

Today's News Page.

WTNH Home Page.