The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking more information on whether a spotted frog that lives in 19 Western states needs endangered species protections.
The agency said in June that federal protections may be warranted for the northern leopard frog. The government initially allowed 60 days to collect information for its scientific review of the frog's status. That deadline now has been extended to Nov. 27.
Minnesota and North Dakota are among the states where protection is being considered.
Eight environmental groups petitioned the government in 2006 to protect the Western population of the frog's population. The federal agency said the frog has disappeared across vast portions of its historic range in the West and parts of Canada. Threats include habitat loss, disease, nonnative species, pollution and climate change.
A decision on whether the agency will seek federal protections is expected next summer.
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While North Dakota
doesn't specifically track frog populations, Minnesota conducts a frog- and toad-calling survey annually. In 2008, the most recent year for which results are available, there were no detectable trends for leopard frogs in Minnesota. According to a report from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, that indicated a stable population.
