New species of frog found in...New York City

The frog refused to answer questions, simply yelling “Cowabunga!” and jumping through an open sewer grate.

Although the discovery of a previously unknown species is never routine, it is at least more expected in remote corners of the globe, from the deep Amazon to Pacific atolls. But few people expect to find a new species in New York City!

But they did! Which means: don’t you dare change New York City! Pavement, graffiti, garbage, oil spots…that’s these frogs’ natural habitat now!

This newly identified wetland species likely lived on Manhattan, before it was largely drained and paved over, as well as other low spots throughout the five boroughs and beyond.

Today the new species hangs on in part of Staten Island (officially part of NYC). The scientists noted that the center of its current known range is actually near Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

But wait:

The discovery of a new species of frog in the country’s largest city is a good reminder that scientists have much more work to do to better understand the natural world. It is also a reminder of how important it is to protect the world’s remaining wetlands.

These frogs survived through hundreds of years of human development, and continue to survive today, but this is a reminder of “how important it is to protect the world’s remaining wetlands?”

Sounds like the exact opposite to me.