PORTLAND, Ore. -- An endangered northwest frog is getting a new leap at life thanks in part to the Oregon Zoo.

Inside the frog exhibit at the Oregon Zoo youngsters can catch a glimpse of a tiny creature called the Oregon Spotted Frog. But unbeknownst to them, just beyond the exhibit walls, zookeeper Steve Hash fights to keep the endangered frogs alive. Since March Hash has looked over hundreds of tiny Oregon Spotted Frogs.

“I guess baby sitter is the best way to put it,” explained Hash.

Hash feeds the frogs twice a day, keeps their plastic tub of water clean, and watches them grow. In just a couple of weeks the frogs will be released back into the wild in hopes of saving the age-old creature that's quickly becoming extinct.

“About 90 percent of their historical habitat is gone,” said Hash.

The Oregon Spotted Frog population has declined dramatically in recent years due to development, invasive species, and a deadly fungus.

“What’s happening world wide is a huge decline of frog populations,” said Hash.

Biologists say the frogs are and "indicator species" of the health status of our environment and play a critical role in our ecosystem, which is why the Oregon Zoo is partnering with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to for the first time ever raise and release hundreds of the frogs into the wild.

The first batch was released Monday near Fort Lewis, Washington. In about two weeks, the ones raised at the Oregon Zoo will join them.

The frogs will be tagged at the zoo this Friday, and will likely be released into the wild in mid October.