The Wyoming toad (Bufo baxteri) is a dark brown, gray or greenish amphibian with small, dark blotches.  The average length is 2.2 inches, with the females slightly larger than the males.

Although once abundant in the wetlands and irrigated meadows of Wyoming’s southeastern plains, the Wyoming toad was listed as extinct in the wild in 1994, meaning populations are no longer producing offspring that survive to adulthood in the wild. 

“Without intensive management, including captive breeding, species that are extinct in the wild have no chance for survival,” said Detroit Zoological Society Curator of Amphibians Danna Schock.

Wyoming toad populations crashed dramatically in the past 30 years, according to Schock.  The causes of the declines are not well understood, but it is likely that more than one factor contributed to the situation in the past, with habitat loss and infectious diseases suspected as major drivers.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service collected the last remaining Wyoming toads in 1994 for the purpose of founding the captive population.  This captive breeding program is a multiple-partner effort that involves organizations such as zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), as well as federal and state agencies.  The Detroit Zoo became involved in rescue efforts in 1995 and began successfully producing healthy toadlets in 1997.

Although the fate of the Detroit Zoo’s 40 toadlets won’t be determined for several months, toadlets from the Zoo in past years have become part of the larger captive breeding population, often being sent to other organizations for breeding purposes.  Other toadlets have been sent to Wyoming and released into carefully monitored and protected natural areas where wild populations of Wyoming toads once thrived.

“The encouraging news is that recent wildlife surveys found calling males, healthy adults and possibly even some wild Wyoming toad eggs,” said Schock.

The Detroit Zoological Society is a non-profit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo.  Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak.  The Detroit Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October – with extended hours until 8 p.m. Wednesdays during July and August – and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March.  Admission is $11.00 for adults 13 to 61, $9.00 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $7.00 for children ages 2 to 12; children under 2 are free.  For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.  The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March, and provides educational programming with interpretive staff support from the Huron-Clinton Metroparks.  For more information, call (313) 852-4056. 

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