Species

Incilius cristatus

Common Name(s)

Large-crested Toad;Sapo Cresta Grande

Region where program is based

Mesoamerica

Country where program is based

Mexico

The authority that recommended this species for an ex situ program

Africam Safari

Has a genetic analysis been performed on wild populations to define the target taxon, i.e., verify that single, viable Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESU's) that are managed as separate populations, are not confounded by cryptic species or polymorphisms?

Yes

Name of the institution managing the ex situ population

Africam Safari

Year the program started

2008

Is at least some portion of the captive population maintained in range country?

Yes

Are sufficient resources available to manage the ex situ population?

Yes

Are adequate numbers of skilled staff available with the appropriate ex situ amphibian experience?

Yes

Is sufficient space available for the required population size?

Yes

Additional Support required

Has a Taxon Management Coordinator for the ex situ population been appointed?

Yes

Taxon Management Coordinator

José Alfredo Hernández Díaz of Africam Safari

Has a Taxon Management Group or Recovery Team been established?

No

Has a Taxon Management Plan, Recovery Plan or Species Action Statement been written?

In preparation

Web link to Taxon Management Plan

Have Husbandry Guidelines been written?

In preparation

Web link to Husbandry Management Guidelines

Have any knowledge gaps in the species biology or in their interaction with potential threats been identified that could benefit from research using the ex situ population?

Species’ biology is already well-documented

Have founder needs been calculated using the AArk Amphibian Population Management Guidelines ?

Yes

Have sufficient potential founders been collected? ( AArk Amphibian Population Management Guidelines recommends a minimum of 20 pairs of found animals).

No

If sufficient founders have not been collected, is there an ongoing search for additional founders?

Yes

Is the ex situ population managed by nationals from the range country?

Yes

What tools are used to maximize retention of genetic diversity?

None

Has the population produced viable offspring?

Yes

Have the first generation captive-bred animals bred successfully?

Yes

Is the ex situ population housed in permanent isolation from other populations occurring outside its range?

Yes

Is work being supported to study and mitigate threats to the species in the wild, either by the institution or by a regional wildlife agency?

Yes

Have captive-bred or captive-reared animals been released into the wild?

Yes

If releases were undertaken, have disease screening protocols or veterinary health checks been conducted prior to releases to the wild?

Yes

Is follow-up work being carried out to monitor progress of the released animals?

Yes

Is the taxon again secure in the wild, even if it might still require some ongoing in situ management? i.e. has the need for a captive assurance population been obviated such that we can call this a successfully terminated captive rescue program?

Yes

Comments

November 2021: We found the largest record of adult toads ever during field monitoring, with 343 individuals. 2021: There is a need to increase the number of founders. Habitat threats continue, although the population appears stable based on monitoring data. 2018: An additional 170 toads released at the end of October 2017, making a total of over 670 animals released. Monitoring shows that captive-bred Large-crested Toads are able to adapt, survive and breed when released into the wild, with several previously-released animals recaptured. As of January 2013, there are only 5 of the original founder animals left. We just had the first generation of captive bred individuals. One pair laid 855 eggs on December 28th, 2012 and the eggs hatched on January 1st, 2013. We are currently rearing 814 tadpoles and we are planning to perform the first release of this species into the wild.