A Second Chance for Puerto Rico’s Sapo Concho

Once on the brink of disappearing, the Puerto Rican crested toad (Peltophryne lemur) or sapo concho, is making a slow but steady comeback—thanks to dedicated conservation efforts and generous funding partners. This small, yellow-olive toad with distinctive ridges above its eyes is more than just an amphibian; it is a vital part of Puerto Rico’s fragile ecosystem and a symbol of resilience. 

A Species in Peril 

The sapo concho is the island’s only native toad species, once found in karstic regions across Puerto Rico. However, due to habitat destruction and the introduction of the common toad (Rhinella marina) in the 1920s, its population began to plummet. The northern population disappeared entirely, and today, the only known wild population remains in the south in the Guánica State Forest. 

Recognizing the urgency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) designated the species as threatened in 1987 and launched an ambitious captive breeding and reintroduction program in partnership with the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The first successful reintroduction into the wild took place in 1988, marking the beginning of a long-term effort to restore the species. 

A Commitment to Conservation 

In 2010, Para la Naturaleza joined the recovery team, launching a Habitat Restoration, Reintroduction, and Education Program funded by USFWS. This initiative expanded the species’ release sites beyond Guánica, establishing three additional protected areas where the toads could be reintroduced: 

✅ Hacienda La Esperanza Nature Reserve 

✅ Río Encantado Natural Protected Area 

✅ Cuevas El Convento Natural Protected Area 

Since then, 370,726 tadpoles have been released into these protected areas, creating new populations and restoring balance to fragile ecosystems. 

Your Impact: A Future for the Sapo Concho 

The success of this program is a testament to the power of conservation and community support. Every donation helps us restore critical habitats, monitor reintroduced populations, and educate the public on the importance of protecting Puerto Rico’s biodiversity. But the impact of saving the sapo concho goes far beyond the survival of one species—it strengthens entire ecosystems. 

As Puerto Rico’s only native toad, the sapo concho plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. It controls insect populations, serving as a natural pest regulator that benefits both agriculture and public health. As a bioindicator species, its presence signals the health of wetlands and forests, making its recovery a positive sign for the entire environment. Additionally, its place in the food chain supports the survival of birds, reptiles, and other native wildlife. 

Protecting the sapo concho is about more than just saving a species—it’s about restoring biodiversity, preserving Puerto Rico’s natural heritage, and ensuring a healthier future for our ecosystems. With your continued support, we can help this species thrive, protect native habitats, and inspire the next generation of conservationists. 

This is more than just a conservation story—it’s a story of hope, resilience, and the positive change you help create. 

🌱 Join us in protecting Puerto Rico’s wildlife. Donate today and be part of this historic effort!