In early March, the animal Control and Welfare Commission voted to ask for increased funds to drain Lily Pond with the hopes of rooting out a horde of African clawed frogs, a carnivorous creature that eats everything from turtles to fish – even members of its own species.

Since 2003, the city has euthanized over 2, 500 of the frogs but they have continued to maintain a presence in Lily Pond.

Whereas most of the local animal rights advocacy groups, such as Action for Animals, call for the draining and euthanization of the non-native amphibians (which occurs with a pain-free chemical injection), one animal rights group is trying to prevent that scenario.

In Defense of Animals (IDA), an international organization with headquarters in San Rafael, is spearheading a letter-writing campaign from across the globe, asking The City's Board of Supervisors to reconsider draining Lily Pond in lieu of more animal-friendly policies.

In weeks leading up to their April 10 meeting, the Board of Supervisors office received more than 250 letters from IDA members, urging the committee to discuss alternatives other than extermination for the African clawed frogs. Between April 10 and today – when the Board of Supervisors meets again – the office received 20 more letters.

"We wanted to let the Board of Supervisors know that there is a group of local citizens concerned about the welfare of these frogs, "said Elliot Katz, founder and president of IDA. "We believe it's necessary to look into other options into this problem other than draining Lily Pond."

Citing information from fish and Game commission members, Katz stated that the African clawed frogs have become abundant and non-destructive in several ponds in the San Diego area. Katz and IDA believe a more humane alternative to the euthanization of the species would be to ship them down to these San Diego area ponds – environments in which the IDA believes the frogs can peacefully exist.

IDA has conducted similar prevention campaigns in the past. Previously the organization has helped successfully deter population-control killings of elk in Point Reyes and bison in the Catalina Islands off of Los Angeles. "We are always seeking out better ways to solve animal control issues," said Katz. "We don't believe that the end of a gun, or something similar to that, is ever the best option."