Second Release of Endangered Wyoming Toads Planned

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Another batch of some 900 rare Wyoming toads is being released into wetlands in the Laramie region.

The effort by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, landowners, volunteers and others is an attempt to reintroduce Wyoming toads into their native habitat.

The toad was declared extinct in the 1980s, likely due to a deadly fungus but was then rediscovered near Laramie in 1987.

The toad resembles the Canadian toad, but scientists say it had evolved into its own distinct species after being separated by glacial retreat.

In May 2016 about 900 toads were released around Laramie.

Doug Keinath of the Fish and Wildlife Service says researchers don't know yet if last year's release was successful.

Biologists will count the toads throughout the summer.