Viruses or bacteria which may not be dangerous in their country of origin can be lethal to animals which have never encountered them before. If amphibians are the biological indicators of the world's health, we need to pay attention to what they're telling us. Its beauty and rarity earned the golden toad fame rarely achieved by amphibians. It was used as a public relations symbol in the United States to raise money to purchase and protect its habitat, creating the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve in 1972. Although this action seemed to secure the toad's future, it is now apparent that setting aside habitat is not enough to save most endangered species.
Amphibians continue to decline worldwide.
Although the mystery has not been solved, it is likely due to a combination of causes. Amphibians will benefit from conserving tropical rainforests and other rare habitats, including wetlands, as well as strict controls on wild capture of frogs for restaurant consumption or the pet trade. Reducing pesticide use and controlling the pollution that causes global warming will also help amphibians. It may be too late to save the Monteverde golden toad, but it is hoped that stepped-up research efforts will save other amphibians from the same fate. A major step in protecting endangered amphibians is recognition of their plight.