We used Species Distribution Models to determine the potential geographic distribution of a vulnerable species, Calyptocephalella gayi, the helmeted water toad, an endemic amphibian from Chile. In addition, we estimated the role of the Chilean Protected Areas in safeguarding the species and determined the level of risk at which the species is submitted along its distribution. The species' potential distribution covers from 28 degrees S to 44 degrees S, which is explained by altitude, mean diurnal temperature range, slope, and distance to water bodies. The Chilean Protected Areas only cover 3.55% of the potential species distribution, and the geospatial risk analysis showed that 60.61% of its distribution is subjected to very high and extreme threats. The restricted coverage of suitable habitats by protected areas, combined with the threat level the species faces throughout its potential distribution, warns of the need for conservation management to ensure proper protection of the helmeted water toad. Updating this species' current geographic distribution and assessing the risks endured along its distribution provided a panoramic view of which populations are at significantly high risk of threats and which regions should be explored to corroborate the species' presence. These results can help to focus and direct efficient protection and conservation efforts for this species, hopefully in the near future. image