In Minnesota, a routine biology field trip resulted in a world-wide scientific investigation when students found frogs with deformed, missing, or extra legs, as well as deformed eyes or other parts. Mutant frogs have been found in several states, even as far as Japan.
Investigators have yet to find the answer.
Fred De Sam Lazaro looks into the mystery that has the scientific community hopping. A RealAudio version of this NewsHour segment is available. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has developed a comprehensive site that explains the issues, provides links to other relevant sites, and offers citizens a place to interact directly with scientists. About a year ago last summer teacher Cindy Reinitz took her pupils on a nature walk like this one not far from their private school in rural Le Sueur, Minnesota. Until they began looking more closely at the frogs in this pond.