U.S. FWS
Environmental Conservation Online System
Conserving the Nature of America

Recovery Plan Action Status

Plan Name: Wyoming Toad
Plan Status: Final
Plan Date: 11-Sep-91
Lead Agency: USFWS
Lead Office: Wyoming Ecological Services Field Office ( (307) 772-2374 )
Species Action Priority # Action # Action Description Action Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Action Comments Implementation Activities
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 1 1 Monitor existing populations & habitat Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement Other Volunteer, Internal Field Assistance Informal surveys conducted by USFWS, WGFD, UW,TNC. Censuses (2/yr.) conducted 1993-2006. Formal surveys (3/year) conducted 2008-2012 by USFWS, AZA Zoo Volunteers, WGFD, BLM, and WYNDD.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 1 10 Develop funding sources Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Research: Disease, Research: Environmental Contaminants, Research: Other Information Contract, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance 2002:USGS obtains grant to conduct research to develop monitoring program; Saratoga NFH obtains grant to conduct Chytrid screening in Laramie Basin, conduct water quality assessment at captive breeding facilities and for prlim. analysis of animals in a hypovitaminosis investigation. 2008 USFWS obtains ?Preventing Extinction? grant to investigate genetics of the Wyoming toad.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 11 Encourage favorable land practices Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, Bureau Land Management , USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Soil Conservation Service , USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected 2 Safe Harbor Agreements with private landowners completed FY 2006 facilitated by Laramie River Conservation District, including grazing, herbicide application, and haying management criteria. Yearly grazing plans for Mortenson Lake and SHA sites.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 1 1.1 2008 Monitoring of Wyoming toads at Mortenson Lake through systematic surveys conducted by 33 volunteers from 9 Aquarium and Zoo Association (AZA)institutions in the U.S. and Canada. Complete FY 2008 FY 2008 Research: Population Surveys Volunteer This effort was the first systematic (repeatable) survey of Wyoming toads at Mortenson Lake. It was accomplished through volunteers from the AZA and Wyoming Field Office staff. This effort is a way for AZA institutions, which cannot house Wyoming toads, to contribute to Wyoming Toad conservation. It is possible this effort will continue next year and, hopefully, for many years.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 1.1 2008 Monitoring of Wyoming Toads at Mortenson Lake through systematic surveys conducted by volunteers from AZA, Wyoming ES Field Office Staff, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and Wyoming Natural Diversity Database (University of Wyoming) Ongoing Current U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement Management: Population Monitoring Volunteer, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance Results of three monitoring efforts in 2008: 12 Adult toads, 24 Young-of-the-year.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 12 Manage introduced populations Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, Bureau Land Management , USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Refuges and Wildlife Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected 1992 Fishing Club lease on Soda Lake terminated. 1999 Fishing Club lease at Mortenson Lake terminated & game fish stocking ended. 1999 Taylor PhD diss. published on causes of mortality in WY toad. 2000 mark recapture pilot study done through UW Coop. Unit.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 1 1.2 2009 Monitoring of Wyoming toads at Mortenson Lake through systematic surveys conducted by volunteers from AZA, Wyoming ES Field Office Staff, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and Wyoming Natural Diversity Database (University of Wyoming) Ongoing Current U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement Management: Population Monitoring Volunteer This is the second year of systematic population surveys at Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Results: 6 Adults, 18 Overwintered toads, 1 young-of-the-year
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 13 Enforce laws and regulations Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Law Enforcement Division, Bureau Land Management , USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Soil Conservation Service , Environmental Protection Agency , Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 1.3 2010 Monitoring of Wyoming toads at Mortenson Lake through systematic surveys conducted by volunteers from AZA, Bureau of Land Management, and Wyoming ES Field Office Staff, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and Wyoming Natural Diversity Database (University of Wyoming) Ongoing Current U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement Management: Population Monitoring Volunteer This is the third year of systematic population monitoring at Mortenson Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 14 Inform agencies Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 1 1.4 2011 Monitoring of Wyoming toads at Mortenson Lake through systematic surveys conducted by volunteers from AZA, Wyoming ES Field Office Staff, Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and Wyoming Natural Diversity Database (University of Wyoming) Ongoing Current FY 2011 FY 2011 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement Research: Population Assessment Internal Field Assistance
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 15 Ensure Section 7 Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, Environmental Protection Agency , Bureau Land Management , USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Soil Conservation Service , USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Section 7 Consultation complete for all projects with potential impacts. For example, Buford Foundation Property wetland restoration in 2003, and for Safe Harbor Agreements completed FY2006.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 16 Promote public awareness & cooperation Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, Bureau Land Management , USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Soil Conservation Service , Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected 2 Safe Harbor Agreements with private landowners completed FY 2006 facilitated by Laramie River Conservation District. 2009 Presentation to ?Camp Confidence? participants at Buford Foundation.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 17 Maintain working groups Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected PHVA Work Group. Recovery Team assigns tasks on as needed basis. Recovery Team has working groups that are assigned specific tasks.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 3 18 Identify taxonomic status Complete Prior to FY 1995 Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Ecology Research Center, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected 1997 Smith et al. pulication on taxonomic status of WY toad: established toad as a full species.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 3 19 Evaluate taxonomic status Complete Prior to FY 1995 FY 1995 - FY 1999 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected 1997 Smith et al. publication
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 1 2 Survey additional populations Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Ecology Research Center Research: Population Surveys Volunteer, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance Other agency assistance is encouraged. i.e., BLM, EPA, SCS. 2009 BLM initiated informal amphibian surveys in Albany County, Wyoming. During the summer of 2012, the Service conducted Wyoming toad surveys in some of areas known to have toads historically. These surveys will continue in 2013.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 3 20 Consultation and comment on projects Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, Bureau Land Management , USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Soil Conservation Service , USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Environmental Protection Agency , Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected All conservation actions/projects reviewed by USFWS and/or WGFD and/or Recovery Team
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 21 Implement protective measures Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, Bureau Land Management , USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected 1992 Fishing Club lease on Soda Lake terminated. 1999 Fishing Club lease at Mortenson Lake terminated & game fish stocking ended. 1999 Taylor PhD diss. published on causes of mortality in WY toad.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 22 Implement enhancement measures Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Soil Conservation Service , Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Managed grazing on Buford Foundation Property and on properties included in Safe Harbor Agreement.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 23 Compensate landowners Not Started U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 24 Acknowledge coop. Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Awards and recognition given to private landowners, conservation district personnel, and USFWS employees actively participating in WY toad recovery activities.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 25 Refine life history information Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Ecology Research Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected 1992 Wither's M.S. on habitat use & LH. 2000 Parker's M.S. on hab. use & movement
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 26 Improve techniques Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Ecology Research Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected 2001 Odum and Lipps data analysis to determine effectiveness of captive institution's processes and procedures. 2002 USGS study used and grant obtained by Saratoga NFH for Chytrid screening, water qual., and hypovitaminosis.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 27 Develop delisting criteria Ongoing Current FY 2000 - FY 2004 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Updates to current Recovery Plan in process since 2003. We plan to publish a draft revised recovery plan for public commetn in 2010.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 28 Determine reintroduction sites Complete Prior to FY 1995 Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Refuges and Wildlife Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected 1992 Wither's M.S. on habitat use & LH. 2000 Parker's M.S. on hab. use & movement. Reintroductins have taken place every year from 1995 to date.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 29 Secure candidate sites Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Land acquisition by TNC and USFWS. 2 Safe Harbor Agreements providing private lands for reintroductions FY 2006, and others in the works.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 1 3 Move toads/eggs from immediate threats Obsolete Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement Research: Population Surveys Internal Field Assistance
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 30 Develop transplant protocol Complete Prior to FY 1995 FY 1995 - FY 1999 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Ecology Research Center, Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Reintroductions occurring 1995-2006. PHVA developed in 2001 used; Disease study from grant obtained by Saratoga NFH used. Husbandry Manual 2010.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 31 Transplant toad Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Reintroductions from 1995 to date.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 2 32 Monitor introduction Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Ecology Research Center, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Informal surveys by USFWS, WGFD, UW, and TNC. Censuses conducted 1993-2006. 2002 USGS study. Formal surveys of Mortenson Lake and 2 SHA sites.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 1 4 Protect habitat through land acquisition Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Realty, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Refuges and Wildlife, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement Research: Reintroduction Internal Administrative 1991:TNC purchased Mortenson Lake area; 1992 USFWS acquired from TNC & incorp'd into NWR System lands. 2 Safe Harbor Agreements with private landowners completed FY 2006 facilitated by Laramie River Conservation District 2011: Acquisition by TNC of McGee property adjacent to Mortenson Lake. In 2012, a Preliminary Project Proposal (PPP) was approved for the expansion of the boundaries of Mortenson Lake. If approved, this would allow pursuit of fee title and conservation easements in the Wyoming toad's historic range.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 1 5 Identify limiting factors Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement Research: Dietary Studies Species Expert, Internal Technical Assistance, Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative 1998 Cincinnati Zoo reproductive research. 1999 SSP Nutritionist began analyzing diets fed to toads. 2001 Central Park Zoo's Wildlife Cons. Society water chemistry research. 2001 SSP Pathologist and SSP Nutritionist conducted research on nutrition and short tongue syndrome. Captive animals continually monitored for nutrition, breeding and disease factors. 2011 Species Survival Plan initiated a Wyoming toad Vitamin A Study which is thought to be the cause of short-tongue syndrome. 2011 Wyoming toad tracking study to learn more about toad movements.In 2012, the Service conducted 2012 a pilot study on optimizing survival of Wyoming toad tadpoles.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 1 6 Determine numbers needed in captivity Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement Research: Propagation Labor type not yet selected Updated based on number of release sites, success of reintroduced animals, and their reproduction.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 1 7 Determine rearing locations Complete Prior to FY 1995 Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected 1993: Captive breeding program initiated
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 1 8 Captively rear toads Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected 1995 to date: every year from 213 to 20,000+ tadpoles and/or toadlets were released.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 1 8.1 Wyoming Toad Genetic Study Complete FY 2008 FY 2010 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement Research: Genetics Graduate Student, Internal Administrative The Wyoming Toad Genetic Study is a result of a $40,000 "Preventing Extinction" grant from USFWS. The study is being conducted to better understand the genetics of the captive toads and to help manage Wyoming toad breeding. The genetic study is being conducted by the Dexter National Fish Hatchery and Technology Center. Genetic testing will be conducted on all captive Wyoming toads at Saratoga National Fish Hatchery in Saratoga, Wyoming, and the Red Buttes Captive Breeding Facility in Laramie, WY. Genetic testing will also be conducted on frozen Wyoming toad specimens at the Wyoming Field Office in Cheyenne, WY.
Wyoming Toad (Bufo baxteri (=hemiophrys)) 1 9 Form management team Complete Prior to FY 1995 FY 2009 U.S. Fish and Wildlife enhancement, USFWS Regional Office 6 - Denver, Wyoming Department of Game and Fish Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected 1993:Toad Task Force initiated. 1996: American Zoological Association approved an SSP for WY toad. 2001: USFWS appointed Recovery Team. 2008 Recovery Team adopted Terms of Reference for conducting team business.
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