A 'One Plan' research approach on breeding ecology to inform the recovery of the Critically Endangered Bleeding toad Leptophryne cruentata
[box]
Organisation: Bogor Agricultural University and Chester Zoo
Project title: A 'One Plan' research approach on breeding ecology to inform the recovery of the Critically Endangered Bleeding toad Leptophryne cruentata
Location: Bogor, Indonesia
Project date: December 2021 - May 2023 (ongoing)
Species: Bleeding Toad Leptophryne cruentata[/box]
The challenge
The Bleeding Toad occurs in only two localities: Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park and Gunung Halimun Salak National Park, in West Java, Indonesia. The toad was assessed as Critically Endangered following the documented disappearance from a third location (possibly due to chytridiomycosis and/or volcanic eruption), and continues to decline due to habitat disturbance by tourism. Studies on the distribution of the frog in Mount Gede Pangrango National Park have been conducted over the past 15-years but little is still known about the microhabitat requirements of this species. An ex situ breeding programme for this species has been identified as a priority in the Action Plan for the species, but as important microhabitat information is still lacking, further research is required.
The project
In line with the objectives of the Bleeding Toad Species Action Plan, Bogor Agricultural University and Chester Zoo aim to develop an ex situ breeding programme for the Bleeding Toad. The project will collect microhabitat and breeding ecology data to feed into the ex situ programme and will be crucial in designing captive breeding facilities to house Bleeding Toads and other species of the same genus. The project will also conduct husbandry training for amphibian keepers and herpetologists in Indonesia to increase capacity for ex situ amphibian conservation in-country. [box]
Project reports
Project reports will be added here [/box]Photo credit: Arief Tajalli