The golden toad was first described by Jay Savage in 1966. They were found in a very small range. Some reports estimated their home range as small as 0.1 square miles to as much as 3 square miles. This made the golden toad susceptible to changes in the environment. For the dry season, the golden toads would disappear into moist burrows. When the March rains returned to Costa Rica, their breeding was “explosive” with as many as 133 toads mating in a pool the size of “a kitchen sink”. The population from their discovery until June of 1987 was approximately 1,500 individuals. What makes the golden toad a “poster child” for extinction is the fact that they disappeared within a year. There are two theories about what led to the epic downfall of the golden toad. The rapid rate of the golden toad’s extinction is what makes it unique. Two theories exist. The El Niño Theory states that points to a drought that affected the toads. In 1987, there were approximately 43,500 eggs laid, but the drier year left only 29 tadpoles mature to adulthood. The Fungus Infection Theory blames the rapid extinction on the accidental introduction of chytrid fungus to the isolated golden toads. Chytrid fungus has wreaked havoc on many populations of amphibians, including toads. It is usually brought to an area accidentally on the shoes of people. Frogs and toads can drink and breathe through their skin. It is still not entirely clear how chytrid fungus kills amphibians, but it may release toxins into the skin or inhibit water uptake and respiration. Chytrid fungus has been linked to the extinction or endangerment of over 110 species. By 1988, only ten toads were seen. The last golden toad, a male, was seen on May 15, 1989, marking its unofficial extinction date. It was officially declared extinct in 2004. Although Jurassic Park is fiction, scientists are working on several de-extinction projects. In fact, in 2003 scientists did bring back the extinct Pyrenean ibex, a type of wild goat, for 10 minutes before it died, showing de-extinction is possible. The golden toad might be a candidate. Scientists would potentially use DNA from the 15 preserved specimens of the golden toad that are in various collections. Costa Rica has been a leader in conservation of its 160 amphibians, 220 reptiles, 205 mammals, 850 birds, and over 35,000 insects. Costa Rica has 58 wildlife refuges, 32 protected zones, 27 national parks, 15 wetlands, 11 forest reserves and 8 biological reserves. Chytrid fungus is still a major concern for native amphibians. Efforts throughout Costa Rica and Central America have focused on habitat monitoring and on establishing captive breeding programs known as a “global amphibian ark”. This has saved species like the Panamanian golden frog which is thriving in captive breeding programs at the Maryland Zoo and National Zoo in DC. If the golden toad was reintroduced to the elfin cloud forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica, could it again thrive there? Maybe. Consider this. The Holdridge’s toad was declared extinct, after not being seen since 1986, only to be rediscovered in 2009. Today there are around 46 Holdridge’s toads known. The species is being monitored and protected from deadly chytrid fungus and changes to its limited habitat.