Bad Bunny's New Album Shines Spotlight on Endangered Puerto Rican Crested Toad

The Puerto Rican crested toad, an endemic species facing extinction, has gained visibility thanks to the new album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” by reggaeton star Bad Bunny. According to experts, the toad, known locally as the sapo concho, primarily inhabits Puerto Rico's dry forest ponds and only emerges during rainy conditions for reproduction. The animal has become a symbol of resistance against ongoing issues such as gentrification, tourism, and climate change, which threaten its habitat. Biologist Rafael Joglar notes that the species was rediscovered in the 1980s after being presumed extinct in certain areas for decades. Its survival is jeopardized by invasive species like the cane toad, as well as urban development that alters its natural environment. Furthermore, climate change poses a direct threat, as the toad is sensitive to temperature changes and contamination. With an estimated population of 500 to 3,000 individuals remaining, raising awareness through popular culture is seen as crucial for conservation efforts, as emphasized by biologists like Sondra Vega.

A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean Sea southwest of the Cayman Islands on February 8, 2025, prompting tsunami warnings in several regions. The tremor, recorded by the US Geological Survey at a depth of 10 kilometers, occurred at 6:23 PM local time, with its epicenter located approximately 209 kilometers south-southwest of George Town, Cayman Islands. In response to the earthquake, the US National Tsunami Warning Center issued an advisory for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, while the Dominican Republic alerted residents to evacuate coastal areas, advising them to seek higher ground at least 20 meters above sea level. Cuban authorities have also urged people to move away from beachfront locations. Puerto Rico's Governor Jenniffer González Colón is coordinating with emergency agencies despite not recommending a mass evacuation along the coast. As of now, there have been no immediate reports of damage from neighboring Honduras, although residents have been advised to avoid beaches as a precaution. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicated the possibility of tsunami waves reaching up to 3 meters in some locations.