Alberta’s endangered northern leopard frog is experiencing a resurgence, thanks to successful provincial conservation efforts. Designated as a threatened species in the province since 2004, the northern leopard frog faced a significant decline in population during the 1970s and 1980s, prompting conservation initiatives.
According to the Government of Alberta, reintroduction efforts focused on translocating the frogs and releasing eggs into new areas to establish self-sustaining populations. Brett Boukall, a wildlife biologist specializing in species at risk, highlighted the positive outcomes of these efforts. Notably, successful reintroductions were observed at various locations, including Battle River, Kinbrook Island Provincial Park, and Beauvais Lake Provincial Park.
The province has seen a wider distribution and an increased number of northern leopard frog populations across its southern regions. With the successful establishment of new populations, the need for further introductions is currently unnecessary. Over the course of the translocation program between 2007 and 2014, a total of 163,880 tadpoles were introduced, contributing to the species’ recovery.
The cause of the northern leopard frog’s decline remains unconfirmed, although factors such as habitat destruction, chemical pollutants, disease, and altered ecosystems have been suggested. Cynthia Paszkowski, an ecology professor emeritus at the University of Alberta, emphasized the importance of suitable habitats for the frogs to thrive.
In Alberta, the northern leopard frog is one of eight frog species, highlighting the significance of conservation efforts to ensure the survival and sustainability of these amphibians in the province.
