LAS VEGAS, Nev. (702 Times, NV Globe) – U.S. officials announced on Thursday that an unique toad found only in Nevada has been legally put to the list of endangered species.

The Dixie Valley toad is threatened with extinction, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, which is maintaining the toad’s safeguards under an emergency listing rule announced in April.

“This designation emphasizes the importance of the Endangered Species Act and efforts to protect species such as the Dixie Valley toad before population reductions become permanent,” said Service Director Martha Williams in a statement.

According to the agency, the Dixie Valley toad is the smallest of the western toads. It is situated on 760 acres of swamp area northeast of Fallon.

Geothermal development, illness, groundwater pumping, predation by other non-native frog species, and climate change are among the dangers facing the toad, according to officials.

The toad has become embroiled in a legal battle with a planned geothermal facility approximately 100 miles east of Reno. Conservationists and tribal elders have both attempted to stymie the project.

Credits: News3LV

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