In the Island of Puerto Rico, there is a unique species of tree frogs known as the COQUI (pronounced CO-KEE). These tiny frogs are named such due to their distinctive song. As daylight dims into dusk they fill the night air with their joyous chorus. The experience of the Coquí songs is quite unique and found nowhere else in the planet.

Although some Coquies have been successfully exported to other countries, they never sing once removed from Puerto Rican soil. Puerto Rico, (The Island of Enchantment), is the only place in all of Earth where the Coquí feels at home. This distinction has done much to endear this tiny little creature to the native Puerto Rican. It can be said that Puerto Ricans everywhere long for the song of the Coquí. Many Puerto Ricans have felt strangely uneasy while travelling abroad, only to feel an intense sensation of relief once they return to their native land and hear once more the nightly lullaby of the Coquí.

So great is the love of the Coquí, that images of the tiny creature are liberally painted in almost every sort of souvenir offered by the island's tourist traders. There are Coquí t-shirts, Coquí glasses, Coquí ashtrays, Coquí banners and Coquí key chains in all of their mindboggling variety. Its calls are featured prominently as background harmony in many songs of local artists, and many of these songs pay their personal tribute by mentioning the Coquí, by name. It is featured in every sort of commercial product manufactured by the island industries, and even appears on the license plates of road vehicles.

Truly, if there ever was a symbol of what Puerto Rico is, it has to be the Coquí.
Yet, sadly, most Puerto Ricans are abysmally ignorant of the facts regarding the very creature they claim to adore so effusively. One such fact is that there are, all told, sixteen species of Coquí in Puerto Rico. Each one with it's own song. Another such fact is the one that inspired this article; there are only fourteen species (perhaps less) of Coquí left, and soon there may be only ten.

The Coquíes are dying!

That in itself is a sad and terrible fact, but the shame that Puerto Rico collectively shares is all the greater because it is not commonly known, or even suspected by the people of this island. How many of us know that we may have already lost not one, but three species of our beloved national emblem; the very symbol of Puerto Rican pride?

So it is that I begin my crusade to save our little night-serenading friends by posting the sad list of names of our dearly departed, in hopes that I can in this way awaken the consciousness of my fellow islanders as well as that of other people abroad who might want to join me in my efforts to save the Puerto Rican Coquí.

Although they appear listed in the Department of Natural Resources as "Threatened or Vulnerable Species" the following species of Coquí have very probably already become extinct. Their songs will never again comfort the hearts of Puerto Ricans, or anyone else, forever.

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Eleutherodactylus Eneida or "Coquí de Eneida"
Hasn't been heard or seen in several years.

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Eleutherodactylus Karlschmidti or "Coquí Palmeado""
It hasn't been heard or seen since 1974.
Used to live by the shores of the rivers of "El Yunque" which happens to be the only tropical rain forest in the United States National Parks System.

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Eleutherodactylus Jasperi or "Coquí Dorado de Cayey"
Has not been heard or seen since 1981.
It was the only ovoviviparous species of Coquí in the world.

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The Golden Coquí of Cayey also appears listed in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as a "Threatened or Vulnerable Species". Regardless of this distinction, it is already the most likely Coquí species to have become extinct by now.

In spite of the federal and local agencies awareness of the plight of these species of Coquí which is implied by their official classification as "Threatened or Vulnerable Species," none of these species have had their habitat declared "Critical".

Both state and federal agencies have failed to upgrade their status to that of "Species in Danger of Extinction." This, apparently because not enough of us have brought it to their attention. If we don't care what happens to our Coquíes, why should they? Upgrading their status to that of "Species in Danger of Extinction" would establish their habitats as "Critical" and thus provide real protection. But this is not likely to happen unless WE THE PEOPLE take action first and let the appropriate agencies know that we do care.

Other Coquí species that have become very rare, although some are still seen and heard in remote locations of the island are:

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Eleutherodactylus Cooki or "Coquí Guajón"
Eleutherodactylus Locustus or "Coquí Martillito"
Eleutherodactylus Richmondi or "Coquí Caoba"

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These three Coquíes are not listed in any state or federal agencies as "Threatened," or as anything at all, and they should be.

What can be done about it?

Write to the Department of Natural Resources and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and tell them you want them to revise the status of these endangered creatures as well as have their habitats declared "Critical" so that they can get real protection.

I will even make it easy for you; prepared form letters regarding this matter are available for you to print, sign and mail or fax right here. Just click on the link provided below and print the resulting web page with your browser, or cut-and-paste it onto your own stationary, sign and mail it to the address provided in the heading. The fax number is also provided.

Letter for the US Fish and Wildlife Service
Post Mail Version of the letter
(Print, sign & Send or Fax)

Please, I urge you to do so, the Coquíes cannot
beg you for your help, so I beg for them.
There are now three Coquíes whose songs may never again be heard. Puerto Rico has probably lost those already, three more may be lost to us soon, forever! Others will surely follow. I cannot accept that--if you consider yourself a responsible and conscientious member of the human race, and especially if you call yourself a Puerto Rican, NEITHER SHOULD YOU!

I sincerely thank you for your time and your help.
1997, Naranjito, Puerto Rico, Earth

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Other Coquí species of Puerto Rico

[ E. coqui ] [ E. antillensis ] [ E. gryllus ] [ E. brittoni ] [ E. cochranae ] [ E. unicolor ] [ E. hedricki ] [ E. weightmanae ] [ E. monensis ] [ E. portorricensis ] [ E. juanariveroi ]