From Malaysia to the Andes: Global Momentum for Atelopus Conservation

The Atelopus Survival Initiative (ASI) is a collaborative network working to prevent the extinction of harlequin toads—tiny, colorful amphibians found only in Central and South America. One of the key goals of ASI, as outlined in the Harlequin Toad (Atelopus) Conservation Action Plan, is to increase visibility of these threatened species and create mechanisms for multi-stakeholder collaboration and participation. To do this, ASI regularly participates in conferences and meetings to share experiences, strengthen partnerships, and mobilize action.

Participants at the ASI meeting during the First Peruvian Congress of Herpetology, where conservation needs and collaborative opportunities were actively discussed.

In August 2024, ASI was represented at the 10th World Congress of Herpetology in Kuching, Malaysia. Held every four years, the congress is one of the most important global gatherings for researchers and professionals working with amphibians and reptiles. With over 1,400 delegates from 76 countries, the five-day event promoted herpetological research, education, and conservation through the exchange of ideas and experiences.

At this event, ASI coordinator Luis Marin Fonte gave a presentation during the symposium “A Global Network for Emerging Community-Based Conservation Practitioners.” This full-day symposium brought together over 100 attendees to discuss shared challenges, foster networking, and promote knowledge exchange.

Luis's talk introduced the work of ASI, emphasizing its focus on community-based conservation and the challenges faced by some of its members, such as limited institutional capacity, and resource constraints. He also discussed how ASI works to address these issues through an approach centered on empathy, dialogue, and trust—recognizing the human side of conservation and trying to avoid unrealistic conservation expectations based solely on metrics and impact.

Also during this symposium, ASI member María del Carmen Vizcaíno presented the work of the Jambato Alliance in Ecuador to conserve the iconic Jambato Harlequin Toad (Atelopus ignescens), a species once thought to be extinct. In addition, she gave a separate talk in the general congress program about the experience of being a woman working in conservation, sharing important reflections on gender and equity in the field.

ASI representatives at the 10th World Congress of Herpetology in Malaysia, showcasing the network’s global engagement.

More recently, ASI participated in the First Peruvian Congress of Herpetology, held in Lima in February 2025. Luis presented the initiative with a focus on Peruvian species of Atelopus, highlighting the urgent need for tailored conservation actions in the country. His presentation was part of the "First National Symposium on Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles in Alliance with Rural and Native Communities," which explored how to build effective collaborations between science and traditional knowledge.

This symposium also featured several other ASI members. José Pérez Gonzalez shared how Fundación Atelopus has partnered with Indigenous communities to protect Atelopus arsyecue in Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, building bridges between academia and ancestral knowledge. María del Carmen again presented the Jambato Alliance's experience in Ecuador, focusing on how community engagement and conservation go hand in hand. Patricia Mendoza-Miranda highlighted the work of the Bolivian Amphibian Initiative, which collaborates closely with local communities to protect Atelopus tricolor in Bolivia.

ASI members strengthening alliances for harlequin toad conservation at the First Peruvian Congress of Herpetology.

An ASI-specific meeting was also held during the Peruvian congress, open to all participants—not only ASI members. Over 40 people attended, including many university students, reflecting the strong interest of Peru’s herpetological community in Atelopus conservation. The group discussed urgent conservation needs, such as the lack of data on many species and the absence of dedicated initiatives focused on harlequin toads. The meeting also served as a platform to explore how ASI can support local conservationists and help overcome these challenges through knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and international support.

Beyond conference participation, ASI has also been instrumental in organizing and facilitating conservation planning efforts on the ground. One notable recent example was the workshop to develop an Action Plan for the Conservation of the Jambato Harlequin Toad, in April 2025, in Angamarca, Ecuador.

Led by the Jambato Alliance with the active involvement of dozens of ASI members, the workshop brought together more than 50 participants from local communities, academia, NGOs, and government institutions. Planned and facilitated by María del Carmen and Luis, the event was a milestone in participatory planning for the species. It focused on identifying practical and collaborative actions that integrate both scientific knowledge and local perspectives. A particular highlight was the strong and meaningful involvement of community members, who voiced their commitment to protecting A. ignescens while also emphasizing the need to align conservation with local development and cultural pride.

Local voices shaping the future: community members contributing their knowledge and perspectives during the Jambato Harlequin Toad conservation planning workshop in Angamarca, Ecuador.

These recent activities demonstrate how in-person meetings and collaborative spaces are crucial for building trust, strengthening existing partnerships, and creating new ones. They allow for open dialogue, mutual understanding, and the co-creation of conservation strategies that reflect the realities and needs of those working in the field. Through shared knowledge, trust, and cooperation, ASI continues to grow as a model for collective action and a powerful voice for the survival of amphibians across Latin America and beyond.

We are deeply grateful to Synchronicity Earth, Re:wild, and On the Edge—proud ASI members and donors—for their essential support in making the participation of ASI members in these conferences possible.