2004-2005 ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK BOREAL TOAD PRE-RESTORATION EFFORTS

Due to the dramatic declines of toads their long-term existence in the park is not considered stable and it is believed that restoration is imperative to the sustainability of the toads in RMNP. If actions are not taken to restore toad populations at historic sites RMNP could lose this species very rapidly. Therefore several actions have been taken to work towards restoration of at least two historic sites. RMNP started contributing toad stock in 2000 to the captive breeding program at the Colorado Department of Wildlife’s (CDOW) Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility (NASRF) in preparation for potential restoration. These actions have been in accordance with the Environmental Assessment for the Removal of Some Boreal Toads from RMNP for Placement into a Captive Breeding Program (Toad EA), which calls for a minimum of 10 adult equivalents to be placed in a captive breeding program to maintain genetic diversity. Currently there are 133 adult and juvenile toads at the facility. Refer to Appendix A for a summary of collection compliance with the Toad EA and a listing of stock at NASRF. ?