Como Zoo this summer raised and shipped nearly 3,000 Wyoming toad tadpoles to Laramie, Wyo., to be released into protected habitat.
It's part of a nationwide project to help with the recovery of one of the most critically endangered amphibians in North America.
To ship the Wyoming toad tadpoles, they were packed in oxygenated containers and sent overnight to Wyoming, according to officials with Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. They will be released into wetlands near Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
The Wyoming toad is only native to the Laramie Basin. The species experienced a dramatic population decline in the late 20th century. They are now classified as extinct in the wild. Every Wyoming toad around these days exists due to efforts breeding them that were led by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and accredited zoos across America.
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is one of a select group of organizations involved in the Wyoming Toad Recovery Program, according to Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. The adult toads are housed in a special "biosecure containment room" in which staff manage conditions to help with breeding and raising offspring.
"The Wyoming toad is a powerful example of why accredited zoos play such an important role in conservation," said Erica Prosser, Director of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, in a statement. "Although guests may never see these animals during their visit, our dedicated animal care staff are helping prevent the extinction of a species. We are incredibly proud to be part of this collaborative effort and of the work Allison and our entire team do to support the recovery of the Wyoming toad."
The Wyoming toad also is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Saving Animals From Extinction program, an effort by accredited zoos, aquariums, government agencies and conservation organizations to help recover species facing extinction.
Next month, Zookeeper Allison Pizel will travel to Laramie to take part in field surveys and collaborate with other conservation partners. The surveys help monitor wild populations while participating groups share research, husbandry techniques, and recovery effort for species' survival.
"Every tadpole we raise represents another opportunity to strengthen the Wyoming toad population," said Pizel. "It's incredibly rewarding to know that the work our team does every day behind the scenes contributes directly to bringing this species back to its native habitat."
The Wyoming toads are behind the scenes at Como Zoo in a specialized containment room beneath the Visitor Center. Officials hope to eventually relocate the program to the Aquatics Building, where visitors will be able to learn more about this conservation effort.
