Bad Bunny’s Videos Highlighting Puerto Rican Crested Toads Aid Conservation Work at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, Zoo Officials Share with ABC7

BROOKFIELD, Ill. (WLS) — In recent music videos associated with his latest album, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny highlighted a particular amphibian, the Puerto Rican crested toad, previously believed to be extinct.

Brookfield Zoo in Chicago has long been integral in efforts to prevent the extinction of this toad. These endeavors are now receiving significant attention, thanks to Bad Bunny’s influence.

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Zoo officials told ABC7 that approximately 30 crested toads reside there. Recently, thousands of tadpoles were transported from Illinois to Puerto Rico, where they were released into the wild.

Bad Bunny’s video featuring the endangered species led to donations to the Puerto Rican Crested Toad Conservancy for the construction of a new breeding center, according to a report confirmed to ABC7 by Brookfield Zoo Chicago officials.

Mike Masellis, Lead Animal Care Specialist for Aquatics at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, joined ABC7 Wednesday evening to talk more about their conservation efforts.

Masellis shared more details about the Puerto Rican crested toad, how Brookfield Zoo Chicago is involved in the effort to save the animal.

The full interview can be viewed in the video player above.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is open seven days a week. They are open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.