The coquí frog, a beloved symbol of Puerto Rican identity, produces a nightly “coh-KEE” chorus that many locals cherish as a national lullaby. Recently, a now-deleted Reddit post, titled “Spray to keep the noisy frogs quiet?”, sparked alarm among Puerto Ricans and amphibian advocates. This post suggested that some tourists were seeking ways to silence these frogs, leading to widespread concern on social media. Viral TikTok videos and online discussions have urged people to respect the coquí and reconsider visiting Puerto Rico if they dislike the sound.
Alejandro Ríos-Franceschi, an ecology professor at the University of Puerto Rico, noted this alarming sentiment was unprecedented, as Puerto Ricans typically learn to appreciate and protect these iconic creatures from a young age. He emphasized that the coquí is not just noise; it constitutes a crucial element of Puerto Rican culture. While 17 species of coquí exist, most of them are endemic to the island, and though some are endangered, the common coquí is not.
Moreover, the coquí has become an invasive species in Hawaii, prompting eradication efforts there. The superstar Bad Bunny has also engaged in this dialogue, sharing a clip featuring the coquí in his music. Ríos-Franceschi raised concerns about the ecological impact if tourists were to harm these frogs, noting that chemicals could contaminate groundwater and disrupt local ecosystems. He acknowledged that the coquí’s croaking might be bothersome to tourists but stressed that this does not justify harming them. For locals, the coquí is a cherished melody, integral to their cultural landscape.
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