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Current Status:

Though apparently holding its own, the wild population has suffered from the bacterial disease "redleg." Whether redleg is a natural condition or related to recent environmental changes remains unknown. The 6-year drought in the western United States has reduced the toad's wetland habitat as well as potential reintroduction sites.

Achievements:

The only wild population of the Wyoming toad occurs at Mortenson Lake, purchased from The Nature Conservancy in 1992 for protection as the Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge's wild toad population numbers about 100, with another 60 in captivity. A second population was initiated at Lake George on the Hutton National Wildlife Refuge in the spring of 1992 with captive toads bred in cages at the site. Good reproduction resulted—four to five egg masses were produced—and good survival of young. Coordination with government agencies, local landowners, and mosquito control districts continues in order to protect these populations and to locate additional reintroduction sites. Studies begun in 1990 to evaluate contaminant issues found no significant problems, aside from possible impacts of mosquito control.

Current Recovery Needs:

Continued population monitoring and maintenance, habitat protection and enhancement, research on redleg and other diseases, establishment of another captive population, and continued efforts to reestablish new populations are necessary.

Section 6 Funding and Activities:

The Fish and Wildlife Service provided $20,000 in FY 1991 and again in FY 1992 to assist the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's captive breeding and disease identification efforts for the Wyoming toad.

Partnerships

Wyoming Game and Fish Department: The Department is a joint partner in the recovery effort and maintenance of the captive population.

University of Wyoming: The University has monitored the wild toad population and managed habitat for the species.

The Nature Conservancy: The Conservancy bought and held land until the Fish and Wildlife Service could purchase it for the Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge. It also has leased 20 acres adjacent to the refuge, which the Service proposes to purchase from the property owner in the future. The Conservancy is negotiating leases or conservation easements with other landowners for sites to reintroduce the species.

Recovery Plan Status:

Plan approved 9/11/91.