Lone coqui frog found in Manoa Valley, but state says not part of infestation
Associated Press
HONOLULU — State officials say they have found a coqui frog in Oahu’s Manoa Valley but it’s just a lone amphibian and not part of an infestation.
State Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Janelle Saneishi said Wednesday the invasive frog was recently found in the backyard of a home.
Saneishi says the male frog may have been brought in on a plant or landscaping. Department officials are monitoring the frog so they can capture and remove him.
The coqui is native to Puerto Rico. In Hawaii the frogs have no natural predators and have formed large colonies on Maui and the Big Island.
In large numbers, the mating calls of the coqui males are so loud they’re said to rival the sound of jet planes.
They haven’t become established on Oahu.