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Frog That Survives Within Borders Of National Parks Facing Extinction

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Yosemite National Park, CA — A rare frog that lives in the Sierra Nevada range is facing extinction because of an invasive fungus.

The mountain yellow-legged frog has survived for thousands of years in lakes and streams carved by glaciers. But a mysterious fungus is pushing it toward extinction.

There are about 650 populations left in Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. But 85 percent of the frogs are already infected with the fungus.

The frog is on a waiting list to be named an endangered species. But federal officials have questioned whether endangered status would help the frogs since the threats aren´t from development or agriculture.

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