Imagine a jungle, not just dense and vibrant, but literally screaming with color. From the deepest indigo and cerulean to neon oranges, yellows, and reds, the vibrant colors of tropical dart frogs make them the living jewels of the rainforest. They are also incredibly diverse—especially in Colombia, a country that’s a globally recognized hotspot for biodiversity.

Unfortunately, this spectacular beauty has a dark side. The booming popularity of dart frogs as pets in the US and Europe has driven a poaching crisis. Wild-collected frogs are ripped from their habitats, leading to population crashes and immense suffering for the animals themselves, which rarely survive the journey. It's a tragedy that pits amphibian enthusiasts against the very ecosystems they admire.

But what if there was a way to share the wonder of these incredible creatures without harming them? What if, in fact, responsible pet ownership could ensure their survival?

Introducing Tesoros Frogs: Conservation Through Captive Breeding in Colombia

Tesoros de Colombia (Treasures of Colombia) is not your average dart frog exporter. It's a ground-breaking conservation project founded by ecologist and passionate conservationist Iván Lozano. Their mission is a paradigm shift: instead of stopping the trade of dart frogs, they aim to transform it.

The project's strategy is simple yet brilliant: breed enough of the most desirable and threatened dart frog species in Colombia to outcompete the poachers. Sound familiar?

Why it works

This model eliminates the economic incentive that drives poaching. By providing reliable, perfectly healthy, and legal alternatives, Tesoros de Colombia completely undercuts the black market for these animals. There is no longer enough money to be made from illegal and dangerous collection of toxic wild frogs when legal, captive-bred, non-toxic alternatives are readily available.

For Josh’s Frogs, this partnership fits perfectly with our own philosophy: to make healthy, ethically-sourced amphibians the standard, not the exception. The commitment of Tesoros to the highest standards of welfare and local community engagement resonates deeply with our vision of an ethical pet industry.

A game-changer for American hobbyists

By choosing the Tesoros de Colombia collection at Josh’s Frogs, enthusiasts gain ethical access to breathtaking Colombian species that were once restricted to the illegal trade. Unlike stressed and unhealthy wild-caught imports, these frogs are captive-bred in tightly controlled conditions to ensure unmatched health and long-term vitality. This partnership allows hobbyists to practice "conscious consumption," transforming their passion into a direct investment in Colombian habitat conservation and community development.

A Model for the Future

The Tesoros de Colombia and Josh’s Frogs partnership is another successful example of ethical enterprise improving outcomes for the animals we love. Economic opportunity and wildlife protection don’t have to be mutually exclusive; as responsible hobbyists, our passion for nature is truly building a better world.



Ivan Lozano, founder of Tesoros de Colombia and Tesoros Frogs

Tesoros de Colombia: Conservation Success by the Numbers

Habitat Protection & Reserves

• 3 reserves created and sponsored in 3 different ecosystems, protecting 40+ hectares
• Ownership and restoration of 6 hectares of natural reserve habitat safeguarding 160+ vertebrate species
• Additional 2 hectares of primary forest purchased and donated to NGO FELCA
• Habitat restoration of 6 hectares of low Andean Forest and 5 hectares of high Andean Forest

Captive Breeding & Ending Poaching

• 600+ automated naturalistic terrariums housing endangered species
• Over 1,600 endangered Oophaga frogs bred in the past 15 years, plus 6,000+ non-Oophaga frogs
• Annual production: 200+ O. histrionica and 60 O. lehmanni
• Dominated U.S. Oophaga imports while eliminating poaching of these species for that market

Community Support & Education

• Employment for a team that is 90% women
• Ecotourism programs, local conservation festivals, and scholarships for young researchers
• Sustainable agriculture program engaging local coffee producers in frog conservation
• Funding and managing 10 active conservation projects, with 4 more starting in the next 2 years
• Partnerships with 15+ universities, zoos, and institutions; 60+ talks in 10 countries

Shop the Tesoros de Colombia Collection at Josh's Frogs

Available Now:

• Phyllobates terribilis 'Orange Black Foot' Golden Poison Dart Frog
• Phyllobates bicolor 'Uraba' - Black Legged Poison Dart Frog

Coming Soon:

• Phyllobates aurotaenia 'Yellow'
• Phyllobates aurotaenia 'Green'
• Dendrobates auratus 'Capurgana' (new Colombian lines)
• Dendrobates auratus 'Colombia Blue'
• Ameerega bilinguis
• Ameerega ingeri