NWT Species Search

Longevity

Max 9 years in captivity.

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Economic/Human Considerations

Extensively collected by biological supply companies as laboratory demonstration material.

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B106

Habitat

Breeding = lakes, ponds and flooded areas of streams Summer = meadows and grasslands Winter = unfrozen bottoms of rivers and lakes

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H108

Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Shield, Boreal Plains

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Distribution

~2.5% of the NWT. Limits of distribution poorly known (M. Fournier). Extent of occurrence is ~16,000 km2 using all historic and recent occurrences (5,784 km² since 1995, but this is likely an underestimate) (R234).

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H108

Number of Occurrences

1 location (IUCN definition): east of the Slave River, near the Slave, Taltson, and Tethul rivers, and in northeast Alberta and northwest Saskatchewan. 5 locations (if diseases were not a major threat and the Taltson Hydroelectric Expansion Project became a threat in the future).

Score:

A = 1

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Historical Distribution

11% of the NWT.

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Area of Occupancy

Unknown - significant declines in Alberta.

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Population

Population Size

The abundance of northern leopard frogs in the Northwest Territories is unknown, but an expert-opinion estimate of the number of adults, considering the number of known occurrences and the relative lack of search effort, is in the 2,500 to 10,000 range.

Score:

E = 2

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H108

Trends

Population fluctuates significantly; this is common for many amphibian species. There is insufficient information in the NWT to determine population trend. Some information suggests population stability while community observations suggest some declines (i.e., there is some evidence that northern leopard frogs may now be absent from the Slave River). Declines in BC, Alberta (late 1970s-early 1980s with little recovery), Saskatchewan, and Manitoba (declines in the 1970s with signs of recovery in both provinces).

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BD =

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Threats

Emergent disease: Diseases caused by chytrid fungus and ranaviruses are an immediate threat - small at this time but emergent and cumulative with other threats of unknown effect (UV-B and air pollution) (R234). Emergent diseases may cause die-off of the NWT's small population at northern limits of range - possibly disjunct (R234; M. Fournier revised 2004). Deformed frogs found on the Taltson River in 2009 (R204). Pollution, disease, and predators are cause for concern. Threats to this species believed to be more serious than for other NWT amphibians (H249).

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B = H

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Intrinsic Vulnerability

Loss of overwintering habitat due to hydroelectrical development - hydro development has occurred and more has been proposed for the only known overwintering site (Frog Rock) on Taltson River (M. Fournier revised 2004). Water management activities from the proposed Taltson Hydroelectric Expansion Project are a potential threat of medium to high magnitude, but the project is currently on hold (R234).

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General Status Rank

Rank:

At Risk

Status Rank Description:

Due to a variety of factors; small distribution and number of occurrences, emerging threats that could cause die-offs in short to medium time frame, deformities found in the Taltson River study (2009).

S Rank:

Decision Process Description:

Reviewed in 2004; little new information (H108_05). Re-assessed by COSEWIC in 2009 - modified to may be at risk in the NWT from sensitive. Reviewed in 2015, modified from may be at risk to at risk based on SARC assessment of "threatened" (2013).

Last Updated:

March 13, 2026

Status Designations

NWT - Assessment by Species at Risk Committee

NWT SARC Assessment:

Endangered

2025

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NWT - Species at Risk Legal Status

NWT Status Rank:

Threatened

2015

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status:

Special Concern

As part of the Western Boreal/Prairie population in Canada 2009 - designated Special Concern in April 1998. Status re-examined and confirmed in November 2002 and in April 2009. Last assessment based on an updated status report. (COSEWIC. 2009. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the Northern Leopard Frog Lithobates pipiens, Rocky Mountain population, Western Boreal/Prairie populations and Eastern populations, in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 69 pages).

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