“I won’t date you unless you’re the last guy on earth” may seem like a definite rejection to us but to the remaining population of Mindo Harlequin-Toad (Atelopus mindoensis) the chances of that unwanted date are becoming all too real. Once a thriving community, there are believed to be less than 50 adult toads left, 5 of which, a relict population, live in a pristine cloud forest stream in the Pichincha province, Ecuador.

When they were first rediscovered in 2019, the safety of their habitat, an undeveloped piece of private property, seemed guaranteed. But in 2024 the Mindo Harlequin Toad home was put up for sale and the extinction of this delicate species at the hands of humanity was once again an imminent threat. Enter: field researcher Alejandro Arteaga and his team at the Khamai Foundation.

In a race against time and other bidders, Alejandro Arteaga and his team worked hard to secure the funds needed to purchase the land. With the help of MBZ’s grant and online donations, the team bought all 5 hectares and found the Arlequin Reserve.

This is only the beginning.  Khamai Foundation are actively trying to acquire the reserve outright and have also turned their conservation hut into an AirBnB rental.  Visitors now have the opportunity to learn stay in the forest and learn about the Mindo Harlequin toad firsthand.

The reserve now not only serves as a sanctuary for the Mindo Harlequin-Toad but also as a breeding program for the nearly extinct toad, turning this piece of cloud forest around the Santa Rosa River into a beacon of hope for the species.