You Can ‘Adopt a Coquí’ to Keep Puerto Rico Beautiful—and Protected

Two organizations have teamed up to protect the endemic frog species, which is at risk due to loss of habitat and climate change.

The particular song of the coquí enchants residents and visitors alike in Puerto Rico.

The tree-frog species is endemic to the island and has been a cultural symbol since the time of the Taínos, its native inhabitants. 

Discover Puerto Rico, the island’s destination marketing organization (DMO), has created a partnership with a local environmental research and conservation organization, Conservación ConCiencia, seeking to generate support for Puerto Rico’s natural resources during this holiday season.

RELATED: Puerto Ricans in STEM Show Why the Arecibo Observatory Is So Important for Them and the World

Adopt a Coquí is the name of the initiative by which residents and visitors can donate $25 toward Conservación ConCiencia’s conservation, sustainability, and climate-resilience programs.

People interested in making a donation may visit DiscoverPuertoRico.com/coquí. Contributors will receive a digital keepsake adoption certificate with their name on it.

The coquí is an important part of the island’s ecosystem. Although protected, it is at risk because of climate change and loss of habitat. The frog’s name derives from the “co-kee” sound males generate to delineate their territory and attract females.

“By implementing effective, science-based conservation initiatives, we help save our local marine resources and wildlife—including protecting our naturally unique coquíes here in Puerto Rico—while moving society towards sustainability,” said Raimundo Espinoza, founder of Conservación ConCiencia.

The tiny frog can be found everywhere around the island, but 13 different species live in El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest within the United States National Forest Service. 

Considering travelers are planning their 2021 trips, Discover Puerto Rico recently launched Sounds like Puerto Rico, a five-episode series exploring the local jargon and nature sounds of the island’s culture.

READ MORE: Disney Will Release a New Animated Film that Takes Place in Colombia

One of the episodes, “Coquí in the Rainforest,” presents Raymond Feliciano, El Yunque’s heritage program manager and archeologist, exploring the forest and offering intriguing facts about the coquí.

The series also touches on other aspects of the island, like coffee culture, surfing, birdwatching, and the history of reggaetón.