Chiricahua Leopard Frog Conservation

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The purpose of this project is to conserve the federally listed Chiricahua Leopard Frog on the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge by preventing re-establishment of the invasive, non-native American Bullfrog. This will involve hand removal of frogs and monitoring refuge sites to determine status of the Chiricahua Leopard frog and possible re-invading bullfrogs. This is part of an ongoing project that has been active for over 10 years in efforts to conserve, protect and improve conditions for the Chiricahua leopard frog. The University of Arizona has been the lead for this project and the herpetologists and associated biologists involved are very familiar with the area, locations of frogs and have fine-tuned the techniques involved to continue this project in an efficient and consistent manner. Competition would have significant adverse effects on the progress that has been made on the project to date and would negatively affect the status of the Chiricahua leopard frog.The single source determination is in accordance with criteria #2(Continuation) and #4(Unique qualifications) under Department of Interior guidance (505 DM 2.14B).

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