Texas Fauna Project

Houston Toad

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The Houston toad was the first amphibian to be declared endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and by 1977, had already been eradicated from critical habitat designated in southwest Houston, where extensive wetlands had been filled and drained. However, Jim Blackburn, a noted environmental lawyer, points out that the toad does still survive in more rural areas, and is gaining from the Houston Zoo's captive breeding and release, and might also benefit from biodiversity credits for private landowners.