Leopard frogs in Alberta

Editorial Comment: Just picked up one in my garden in West Central Alberta

The northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens) is one of Alberta’s native amphibians and is recognizable by its green or brown color with distinctive dark spots bordered by light halos. Historically, it was widely distributed and locally abundant across Alberta’s Grassland, Parkland, and Foothills Natural Regions, as well as in the extreme northeast of the province^[1][2][3].

However, dramatic population declines occurred in the late 1970s and early 1980s, leading to local extirpations across much of its range^[1][4][3]. Today, the species is designated as Threatened under Alberta’s Wildlife Act due to its reduced numbers and highly fragmented populations^[2][3][5]. Most remaining populations are now restricted to the Grassland Natural Region in southern Alberta, particularly along the Oldman, lower Red Deer, Milk, South Saskatchewan, and lower Bow rivers, and in the Cypress Hills. An isolated population has also been rediscovered in the lower Battle River, and remnant populations persist in the extreme northeast^[1][2][3][6].

Habitat requirements for the northern leopard frog include:

• Breeding: Shallow, well-vegetated water bodies such as ponds, marshes, oxbows, and beaver ponds.
• Foraging: Moist upland areas near breeding and overwintering sites.
• Overwintering: Permanent water bodies that do not freeze to the bottom and maintain adequate oxygen levels^[1][2].

Conservation efforts have included the formation of the Alberta Northern Leopard Frog Recovery Team and the implementation of reintroduction and habitat management strategies to support population recovery^[1][5]. Despite these efforts, recolonization is slow due to habitat fragmentation and the species’ limited dispersal ability^[5].

In summary:

• Status: Threatened in Alberta
• Current distribution: Scattered, isolated populations mainly in southern Alberta and extreme northeast
• Conservation: Ongoing recovery and reintroduction programs due to significant historical declines and ongoing threats^[1][2][3][5].

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• https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/37dd866c-adc2-41d3-aca6-2f09e96c103c/resource/dc4aa8ee-2b87-4c64-88de-8701641dcdfa/download/sarbrochure-northernleopardfrog-nov2007.pdf      
• https://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/virtual_sara/files/plans/mp_northern_leopard_frog_e.pdf     
• https://www.ab-conservation.com/downloads/AWSR/Reptile Amphibian and Fish Reports/Status of Northern Leopard Frog in Alberta_update 2003.pdf     
• https://open.alberta.ca/publications/0773251348 
• https://www.ab-conservation.com/publications/report-series/northern-leopard-frog-reintroduction-strategy-for-alberta/    
• https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/recovery-strategies/northern-leopard-frog-2017.html