CR

Sucre Water Frog

Telmatobius simonsi

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Telmatobius simonsi faces severe population declines primarily due to chytrid fungal disease (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), which has devastated high-altitude Andean frog populations across its range. Habitat degradation from mining activities, agricultural expansion, and water pollution in the Bolivian highlands further compounds the species' vulnerability. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the temperature and precipitation patterns of its specialized high-altitude aquatic environments.

Threat summary

Habitat

Telmatobius simonsi inhabits high-altitude aquatic environments in the Bolivian Andes, typically found in streams, springs, and small water bodies between 3,500-4,200 meters elevation. The species requires clean, well-oxygenated water with rocky substrates and is adapted to the cold temperatures and low oxygen conditions of these montane ecosystems.

Forest· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recoveryEx-situ conservation

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Sucre Water Frog classified as Critically Endangered?
Sucre Water Frog is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Telmatobius simonsi faces severe population declines primarily due to chytrid fungal disease (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), which has devastated high-altitude Andean frog populations across its range. Habitat degradation from mining activities, agricultural expansion, and water pollution in the Bolivian highlands further compounds the species' vulnerability. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the temperature and precipitation patterns of its specialized high-altitude aquatic environments.
Where does Sucre Water Frog live?
Sucre Water Frog occurs in Bolivia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Sucre Water Frog?
The main threats to Sucre Water Frog are 2.1, 2.3, 5.3, and 8.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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