The beautiful and charismatic Harlequin Toads (Atelopus), which range across the Neotropics from Costa Rica down to Bolivia, are among the most threatened group of amphibians in the world. Despite their important role in cultures they touch across their distribution and their vital role in the ecosystems in which they live, entire species of harlequin toads have been vanishing since the 1980s. The deadly amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis– Bd), combined with habitat destruction and degradation, introduction of invasive species such as Rainbow Trout, and the effects of climate change, have left 80 of the 96 harlequin toad species Endangered, Critically Endangered, Extinct or, like the Panamanian Golden Toad, Extinct in the Wild, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. As of 2018, 37 harlequin frog species had disappeared from their known localities and have not been seen since the early 2000s, despite efforts to find them.

The Atelopus genus is in critical condition, and its rapid and poorly explained declines are driving the entire genus to extinction. Without a coordinated response of the most effective actions, we risk losing this incredible genus to extinction.

Global Wildlife Conservation, in partnership with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Amphibian Survival Alliance, IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group, Amphibian Ark, and others, is spearheading efforts to develop and foster a coordinated harlequin toad conservation network committed to ensuring we don’t lose these jewels forever.

During the previous months, ASA partners have been called upon to join a network of national and international zoological and conservation groups, academic institutions and governments that work together to implement substantial, long-term and environmental conservation measures. wide range for this unique group of amphibians. Amaru Bioparque Cuenca participated in this workshop organized for the Atelopus Survival initiative and the members of this network met to generate together an agenda of strategies aimed at:

- Unite and mobilize the harlequin toad community in a collaborative network.
- Develop a coordinated, standardized and long-term conservation strategy to guarantee the survival of the harlequin toad inside and outside its natural ranges.
- Identify and implement priority actions collectively at national, regional and international levels to save this group of amphibians in the countries of the distribution area in a cost-effective manner.
- Promote the conservation of harlequin toads through education and communication campaigns.
- Provide training and training for the training of herpetologists and amphibian conservationists.

As a first step to achieve this, a 4-day workshop was held in Medellin, Colombia, on November 4 to 7 with the participation of representatives of Amaru Biopark and key experts in the management, protection and research of the Atelopus and conservationists They work in several countries as well as internationally in situ and ex situ.

The workshop established the mission, vision, form and function of the initiative, updated the current state of conservation of the genus, will share and standardize conservation actions and formulate a roadmap of actions that will be implemented collectively. This roadmap will form the basis of an action plan that will prioritize conservation needs and strategies by site, country and species, and define the implementation of those actions based on capacity and cost needs, as well as the opportunities present.