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Threatened frog species on the road to recovery in Alberta

Alberta’s northern leopard frog population is on the rise thanks to successful provincial conservation efforts. Once listed as a threatened species in the province, these frogs have seen a significant decline in numbers since the 1970s and 1980s. However, recent reintroduction programs have led to the establishment of new self-sustaining populations in various locations across southern Alberta.

According to Brett Boukall, a species at risk wildlife biologist with the province, translocating the frogs and releasing eggs into new areas has been key to their recovery. This strategy has led to a wider distribution and an increase in the number of populations throughout the province. Successful reintroductions have been confirmed at Battle River, Kinbrook Island Provincial Park, Beauvais Lake Provincial Park, Grainger, and Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park.

The province has introduced a total of 163,880 tadpoles between 2007-2010 and 2013-2014 as part of the translocation program. These efforts have led to the establishment of new populations and a growing sustainability among northern leopard frogs in Alberta.

While the exact cause of the decline in northern leopard frog populations remains unknown, factors such as pesticides, habitat destruction, disease, and the introduction of fish into their habitats have been identified as potential contributors. Despite these challenges, the availability of suitable habitats in the frog’s historic range has allowed for successful reintroduction programs in Alberta.

In addition to the northern leopard frog, Alberta is also home to seven other frog species, including the boreal chorus, Columbia spotted, and wood frog, as well as various toad species. The successful recovery of the northern leopard frog population serves as a positive example of how conservation efforts can help at-risk species thrive once again.

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