The Wyoming toad, a small, brown toad that is native to the Laramie area of Wyoming, is making a comeback. In June 2023, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) released 800 Wyoming toads at four sites near Laramie. This was part of an ongoing effort to help the species recover from its endangered status.

The Wyoming toad was once common throughout the Laramie area, but its population declined sharply in the early 1970s. The decline was due to a number of factors, including habitat loss, climate change, and the introduction of non-native predators. By the mid-1980s, the Wyoming toad was thought to be extinct.

However, in 1987, a small population of Wyoming toads was rediscovered in the Laramie Mountains. The WGFD and other conservation organizations have been working to recover the species ever since.

One of the key strategies for recovering the Wyoming toad has been captive breeding. The WGFD has a captive breeding program that has produced thousands of Wyoming toads. These toads are then released into the wild at carefully selected sites.

The release of 800 Wyoming toads in June 2023 was the largest single release of the species to date. The toads were released at four sites near Laramie that have been identified as having suitable habitat. The sites were also selected because they are located on private land, which helps to ensure that the toads will be protected from disturbance.

The WGFD is hopeful that the continued release of Wyoming toads will help the species recover to its former abundance. The agency is also working to improve the habitat for the toads by reducing pollution and improving water quality.

In addition to captive breeding and habitat restoration, the WGFD is also working to educate the public about the Wyoming toad. The agency hopes that by raising awareness of the species, people will be more likely to help protect it.

The recovery of the Wyoming toad is a success story that shows what can be accomplished when people work together to protect endangered species. The WGFD and other conservation organizations are committed to continuing the recovery effort until the Wyoming toad is once again a common sight in the Laramie area.

What else you can do to help

In addition to supporting the WGFD’s recovery efforts, there are other things you can do to help the Wyoming toad. Here are a few ideas:

• Learn more about the Wyoming toad and its habitat.
• Respect the toad’s habitat and avoid disturbing it.
• Report any sightings of Wyoming toads to the WGFD.
• Donate to organizations that are working to protect the Wyoming toad.

By working together, we can help ensure the future of the Wyoming toad.

©️ Rocky Mountain Dispatch 2023