Скачать или смотреть Recovering Alberta's northern leopard frogs: A history of translocations | OCS Science Seminar

October 28, 2025 OCS Science Seminar presented by Brett Boukall of Alberta Environment and Protected Areas.
Abstract: Historically, northern leopard frogs were widely distributed and locally abundant in the Grassland, Foothills, and Parkland Natural Regions of Alberta and in the extreme northeastern region of the province. However, abrupt and dramatic population declines were noted in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens) has been listed as Threatened in Alberta since 2004. The Alberta Northern Leopard Frog Recovery Plans, 2005–2010 and 2010–2015,identified reintroduction as a conservation strategy to assist in the recovery of northern leopard frogs in Alberta. Beginning in 2006, a program for northern leopard frog translocations was initiated to reintroduce frogs into vacant sites within their current range. Suitable translocation sites focused initially on major river drainages where northern leopard frog populations were already known to occur, but within areas of vacant range. Site suitability was assessed based on the presence of suitable breeding habitat, connectivity, access, and land ownership. A site that ranked high in the initial assessment, with sufficient overwinter oxygen levels, was considered highly suitable for the reintroduction of northern leopard frogs. Reintroductions were initially successful at five of the nine sites initially identified as highly suitable. Sites that were identified as reservoirs were not as successful for northern leopard frog translocations, despite having ranked initially as highly suitable. Based on northern leopard frog surveys that have been conducted since 2010, numerous sites have now been documented, reducing the need for a current and active translocation program in the province. The understanding gained from the northern leopard frog translocation project can inform future amphibian translocations in other areas or again in Alberta, should population conditions change.