Bad Bunny videos featuring Puerto Rican toad helps Brookfield Zoo Chicago's conservation efforts

BROOKFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- Recent videos from superstar Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny released along with his latest album featured a specific type of amphibian, the Puerto Rican crested toad, which was once thought to be extinct.

For years, Brookfield Zoo Chicago has been providing crucial support in saving the toad from extinction. Now, thanks to Bad Bunny, those efforts are getting a major boost.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

About 30 crested toads live at the zoo, officials told ABC7. Last month, thousands of tadpoles were transferred from Illinois to Puerto Rico and released into the wild.

Bad Bunny's video featuring the endangered species led to donations to the Puerto Rican Crested Toad Conservancy for the construction of a new breeding center, according to a report confirmed to ABC7 by Brookfield Zoo Chicago officials.

Mike Masellis, Lead Animal Care Specialist for Aquatics at Brookfield Zoo Chicago, joined ABC7 Wednesday evening to talk more about their conservation efforts.

Masellis shared more details about the Puerto Rican crested toad, how Brookfield Zoo Chicago is involved in the effort to save the animal.

The full interview can be viewed in the video player above.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is open seven days a week. They are open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.