Frog Jumping Contest Concerns Wildlife Officials

The Calaveras County Fair and Frog Jumping Jubilee in the old gold mining town of Angels Camp draws about 40,000 people every year and about 2,000 frogs.

State wildlife officials are worried that it´s a recipe for ecological disaster. They say it´s a perfect model for spreading disease. They´re touring the 75th annual contest this week, seeking ways to minimize the potential spread of disease. Wildlife officials are particularly worried about the iridio virus that can spread among red legged and yellow legged frogs and bullfrogs.

Contestants are urged to be “be frog-friendly” and turn their frogs over to fair organizers after the event so they don´t return sick frogs to the wild.

The contest has been an annual event since 1928, and was inspired by the Mark Twain story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County.”