Boreal toads are Colorado's only alpine toad and play an important role in the ecosystem. Unfortunately, boreal toad populations have been severely affected by a deadly fungus called chytrid and were listed as a State Endangered Species in 1993.
Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance partnered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to try and save this critical species. You can join Team Toad and help bring back the boreal toad!
As a Team Toad community scientist, you’ll visit high-elevation wetlands in Colorado to look for boreal toads and other amphibians. If an adult or juvenile amphibian is encountered, you’ll swab it for chytrid fungus.
This will help us determine the spread of this deadly disease and hopefully uncover toad populations that may be resistant or tolerant to it. Not to mention that the data helps us to identify suitable habitat for the future release of captive-bred tadpoles. At that point, our project will expand to not only studying historic habitat, but also monitoring the success of toad reintroductions.
All community scientists must first attend a field day with Denver Zoo staff, which is basically a hike out to toad habitat where we’ll teach you our disinfection, data collection, and amphibian handling protocols while collecting real data. After that you’re welcome to attend more field days or look for toads on your own!
