Conserving western (boreal) toads

Disease-resistant populations help prevent ESA listing

The eastern population of western toads (formerly known as boreal toads) lives in mountain ranges across Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Utah. In November 2017, this species was found not warranted for protection under the Endangered Species Act, largely because of conservation efforts completed in Utah. Some of the factors that contributed to this success included:

• Surveys and monitoring have documented that western toad populations remain strong in most Utah mountain ranges.
• Populations in northern Utah appear to be more resistant to a widespread fungus-caused disease than some other populations, and they have persisted in spite of the fungus.
• Partners have completed key habitat projects — and more are underway — to protect western toad populations.
• A captive, back-up population has been established for Utah’s most at-risk western toad population.

Even though the 2017 decision ensured that western toads were not listed as threatened or endangered, biologists are still monitoring Utah populations and tracking toad sightings. Species Protection Account funding, matched with federal State Wildlife Grant funding, has supported this fieldwork and monitoring.

If you see a western toad in the wild, please enter your information online in iNaturalist or email details about the sighting (e.g., location, date and GPS coordinates, if possible) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Check out this video from the Utah Wildlife Migration Initiative about the migration of western toads, including one toad with three legs.