The Huancavelica Golden Frog, Telmatobius ventriflavum. Photo credit: Vargas, G.

Josh's Frogs awarded a 2025 Amphibian Conservation Grant to the Peru-based nonprofit Asociación Pro Fauna Silvestre (Pro Wildlife Association) for their project Eradication of Invasive Species and Habitat Conservation of the Huancavelica Golden Frog (Telmatobius ventriflavum) in the Eastern Andes of Peru. To learn more about this project, we did a virtual interview with Víctor Jassmani Vargas García, a researcher associated with the Pro Wildlife scientific collection.

How specifically do you plan to use the grant money? We will organize at least 2 workshops to develop and validate a Plan for the control and eradication of the "rainbow trout" and a project for the Golden Frog Conservation Center of Huancavelica, in addition to providing guidance on best practices for trout breeding and trout preparation for local tourists, where, in addition, we will request the commitment and permission to eliminate (transfer) trout from the natural streams to the dam. Materials (tricks, cement and iron) will be acquired to place traps for trout (see Figure 1 below), so that they do not climb from the dam to the ravine, in addition to paying the wages of support personnel, in addition to the transportation expenses of the Association's personnel for the actions of search, transport and relocation of the trout and monitoring of the "Golden Frog of Huancavelica".

Figure 1: Planned site of trout traps

What does winning this grant allow you to do that you might not have otherwise? It will allow us to take the first steps to reach agreements with the local community to conserve the habitat of the Golden Frog of Huancavelica, in addition to projecting a Frog Conservation Center for reproduction and reintroduction purposes. As well as, install "traps" so that the "trout" does not continue to colonize the frog's habitats.

When do you expect to see results from this? What are you hoping they look like? It is expected to achieve a first experience in Peru for the conservation of the "golden frog of Huancavelica" with commitments to the local community for the management and control of trout in the habitats of the species and to achieve in the medium term a conservation center for the "Golden Frog of Huancavelica".

How will this project impact amphibian conservation? The threat of invasive species, such as trout, leads to the decrease of its population due to predation of eggs and tadpoles, controlling the "trout" through continuous monitoring will allow the recovery of the frog populations in the ravine where it was discovered.

What are the larger implications of your work? The specific project contributes to the implementation of the Action Plan for the conservation of amphibians, through the control of invasive species. As well as the goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity regarding Goal 6: Reduce and mitigate the impacts of invasive alien species.

What message or information would you like to share with the reptile and amphibian pet community? We would communicate about the experience that will be achieved in the control of invasive species such as trout, the same that could be applied in other locations and for other species affected by this fish, from a planning process, participation of the local community and strengthening their capacities in trout management and customer service.

How would someone make a donation to your organization? Our project, in the future, is to achieve a Golden Frog Conservation Center of Huancavelica, which is planned to be built in the same locality, for this, we will seek more funds to pay for its operation, so we make available the way to donate to our organization, through the following link https://profaunasilvestre.com

Where could someone learn more about your project? Our project can be found on the website of the Pro Wildlife Associate, and can be found through the following link https://profaunasilvestre.com