GeoBeats Animals visited BeWild Rescue in Durham, North Carolina to learn more about Cousin, an obese rescued white tree frog who is on his way to losing weight.
Cousin was brought to them in 2019 by people who rescued him from a life of captivity, according to rescue director Nicole D’Avignon. Cousin has been rehomed several times, but he has found a permanent home with BeWild.
Cousin is unique in that he is so large. His owners, who gave him up for adoption, rescued him from someone. He was far too large to live with their own frogs. … We are at least his fourth residence. He’s been moved from house to house a lot.
Cousin has lost some weight since his arrival and continues to do so, despite the fact that life in captivity has severely limited his ability to move. He will never be released back into the wild as a result of these restrictions.
He is currently weighing around 120 grams. According to our veterinarians, he probably won’t be able to lose weight for a variety of reasons. One of his limbs has been curved because he doesn’t have enough calcium or hasn’t had enough calcium in the past, so he can’t climb and hop like a normal frog. He’s not nearly as active as most frogs. He also has a chronic illness.
Cousin, on the other hand, lives comfortably as an Ambassador for BeWild Rescue.
Please welcome Cousin the massive White’s Tree Frog as our newest ambassador!