Species

Hylarana taipehensis

Common Name(s)

Taipei Frog

Region where program is based

East Asia

Country where program is based

Taiwan, Province of China

The authority that recommended this species for an ex situ program

Unknown (TBD)

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

Taipei Zoo

Year the program started

2011

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?

No

Is sufficient space available for the required population size?

Yes

Additional Support required

Lack of population management staff.

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

Yes

Taxon Management Coordinator

Gecko Tai (Wei-Yu, Tai) of Taipei Zoo

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?

Yes

List of knowledge gaps

This species is not endemic to Taiwan, and we are missing the current status of this species in other parts of Asia. Some observations show that this species is rapidly disappearing all over Asia, but there is a lack of detailed field survey data. 1.The requirement of nutrition or environment condition (i.e. space, water depth, and etc.) in different development stages. 2.Life history of the Taipei Frog in captivity.

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?

No

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?

No

Comments

Captive-bred frogs were reintroduced to the wild for the first time on April 25, 2020, with a total of 400 individuals. The number of individuals monitored in each month of 2020 year is between 10-15%. We continue to monitor the frog population and the environment, and evaluate whether it is suitable for continued wild release.