The golden toad is an extinct species that was once abundant in the high-altitude region of northern Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Occupying only a tiny 1.5 square mile area of the elfin cloud forest, the small toad spent most of the year in moist underground burrows, but would emerge during the rainy season in the spring for mating season.

The last recorded sighting of the species was in 1989, and it was officially listed as extinct in 2004. There are several theories about why the toad went extinct, including the sudden change in climate following a couple of years of abnormally dry weather patterns, as well as exposure to the chytrid fungus, which has threatened several toad species around the world.

From The Rainforest Trust:

The Golden Toad was endemic to the Monteverde Cloud Forest — found nowhere else on Earth. The species was a brilliant burnt-yellow, prone to easy spotting in its thick, green rainforest home. That’s if you were around during the short time the toad was above ground. The species spent most of its life underground, emerging only for a few days at the end of the dry season to mate.

Spotting the frogs must have been an incredible sight to behold. In 1987, between April and July, researchers noted nearly 1,500 adult toads scattered between a few shallow pools around the forest. Imagine — these bright yellow toads, seen once a year, all converging on puddles to breed before retreating underground.

But in 1988, scientists found only one toad, a male, in the same area. They documented nine more a couple of miles away.

And then in 1989, they spotted one male toad — and nothing else.

In 1990, they found none.

Check out this episode of The Rewilding Earth Podcast for an interview with Kyle and Trevor Ritland, authors of the book The Golden Toad, which explores the story of the extinct golden toad, the emotional impact of species extinction, and the importance of ecological empathy:

Episode 156: The Golden Toad – Hope, Loss, and the Power of Conservation Storytelling

Trevor Ritland spent two years in the cloud forests of Costa Rica before returning to the United States to complete graduate work in documentary studies and sci

There’s also a short documentary by Trevor Ritland about his search for the golden toad, which features some great visuals of the rain forest ecosystem where the toad previously lived (starting around the 3:50 mark).