SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- Santa Cruz just became the first city in the nation to ban American Bullfrogs. The council voted unanimously to ban the frogs, after a local group came forward.
"They're the largest frog in North America, so they have a very large mouth and eat our native wildlife," said Kerry Kriger, with Save The Frogs.
American Bullfrogs are specifically eating endangered wildlife in Santa Cruz. That's why Kerry Kriger created a group called "Save The Frogs, a bit of a surprising name since he's pushing the city and county of Santa Cruz to ban Bullfrogs altogether. Now that the ban is in place, it means you can't buy, sell or possess one.
"Also, the American Bullfrogs carry diseases like the Kitrick fungus. The Kitrick fungus has driven about a hundred amphibian species to extinction," said Kriger.
Save The Frogs comes out to Antonelli Pond in Santa Cruz quite often to do habitat restoration for the California Red-Legged Frogs. It's one of the endangered species the bullfrogs like to eat. Central Coast News checked in with pet stores in Santa Cruz to see if the Bullfrog is a popular pet.
"Certain times of the year people do come in looking for Bullfrogs to purchase, Bullfrog tadpoles to purchase, especially teachers. I'm assuming to show the life cycle of a tadpole turning into a frog," said Aaron King, Owner of Trop Aquariam.
Aaron King said he's sold Bullfrog tadpoles before, but doesn't have a problem with the ban.
"I don't think it's a bad thing at all. Bullfrogs are harmful around here and I don't sell enough of them for it to hurt my bottom-line," said King.
Kriger is working to make it a state-wide ban.
