Boreal Toad Monitoring and Surveys

A whole herd of boreal toads heads for the safety of the water in Chaffee County, CO.

By Brad Lambert, CNHP Zoologist

Since 1999, CNHP, in partnership with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, has been monitoring known breeding sites of the state endangered boreal toad (Bufo boreas) and surveying locations throughout Colorado for new populations. Data collected helps the Boreal Toad Recovery Team assess the status of the boreal toad in Colorado, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service evaluate its status for potential federal listing as an endangered species.

Researcher examines the distinctive dorsal stripe on an adult boreal toad.

In 2008, CNHP monitored 26 known breeding sites in Chaffee, Eagle, and Summit Counties, making repeated visits to collect baseline information on toad numbers and breeding success. In addition, 91 sites throughout Colorado were surveyed for boreal toads, resulting in the documentation of two new breeding sites in Chaffee County. Over 1,500 adult toads were tagged between 1999 and 2008.

It is difficult to get a boreal toad to stand still long enough to get a good picture of it.

An ongoing mark-recapture study investigating demographic variables in a large metapopulation of boreal toads continues this year in Chaffee County.