In the coastal range in northern Venezuela, a critically endangered, gem-like toad known as the Rancho Grande Harlequin Toad (Atelopus cruciger) makes itself at home in two known subpopulations that are estimated to total only 500 viable adults.

These small numbers are naturally cause for concern and with the species fighting a losing battle against habitat degradation and the fungal disease chytridiomycosis, Dr Margarita Lampo and her team at la Fundación para el Desarrollo de las Ciencias Físicas, Matemáticas y Naturales (FUDECI) have been taking action since October 2024 to bolster and genetically diversify the population. 

In 2025 with a grant from the Mohammed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, the team released 4 new groups: 202 new adults in April, 150 juveniles, three amplexed pairs, and 14 tagged adults in august, four amplexed pairs in November; and a final group in January with 82 adults and four amplexed pairs bringing the total to 470 new toads at one site! Since then, the team has been focusing on monitoring the captive bread population, tracking their health and survival rates through capture and release to track the toad’s success. 

Though it is still too early to know through tadpole numbers if the project had the desired results, the team is hopeful to see this vibrant frog start to bounce back in the coming breeding season.