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The Search for Lost Frogs

From August to December 2010, CI supported expeditions in 21 countries to search for amphibian species not seen in over a decade. Here’s what we found.

Rediscovering lost amphibians around the world

View a Map of the Rediscoveries

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LEARN MORE: See the results of each expedition, including photos of the rediscovered frogs and links to their field dispatches

Ranging from tiny poison dart frogs to the Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus), the diverse class of creatures known as Amphibia is the most threatened group of vertebrates on the planet.

Habitat loss, disease and climate change have caused some species to vanish without a trace in a single breeding season; however, the status of many of the world's amphibians is currently unknown due to limited and outdated research.

The Search for Lost Frogs, launched in August 2010 by Conservation International (CI) and the IUCN Amphibian Specialist Group (ASG), with support from Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC), sought to document the survival status and whereabouts of threatened amphibian species not seen in over a decade.

Over five months, CI supported expeditions by 126 researchers in 21 countries across five continents.

Among their findings:

In Ecuador, the rediscovery of the Rio Pescado stubfoot toad (Atelopus balios), one of the campaign's top 10 "lost" frogs, and a species not seen since 1995. Researchers feared that the deadly amphibian chytrid fungus had wiped out this species; this find is significant and very encouraging. Three other amphibian species from our initial list of 100 "lost" species were also discovered. Learn more »
In India, the rediscovery of five missing amphibian species (so far) by scientists who, inspired by CI's global search, launched their own campaign to find local species. The rediscovered species include one that was last seen in 1874 and another which was found by pure chance in a rubbish bin. Learn more »
In Haiti, six surprising rediscoveries of species in the country's diminishing forest regions. These species — which include the ventriloquial frog (Eleutherodactylus dolomedes) and Mozart's frog (E. amadeus) — had not been seen in two decades. Learn more »
In Colombia, the discovery of three amphibian species potentially brand new to science. Learn more »

Though these discoveries bring hope for the survival of certain species, overall they are sparse findings that should sound an urgent wake-up call for countries and prompt coordinated efforts to prevent further declines in the populations of these environmentally sensitive barometer-species. Bold conservation efforts are not only critical for the future of many amphibians themselves, but also for the benefit of humans that rely on pest control, nutrient cycling and other services the animals provide.

View the complete list of Lost Frogs

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Features & Media

	Hope for Haiti With the world's collective eyes on Haiti and international relief efforts underway, CI's Dr. Robin Moore set out to examine the status of some of the country's stressed ecosystems. In October, he embarked on an expedition to find amphibian species not seen in more than a decade in Haiti's fragmented forests. This search had surprising results — the rediscovery of several species not seen in almost 20 years. Read more »
	Ask a Scientist - Amphibian Q&A with Dr. Robin Moore How sharp are a caecilians teeth? Are there any special frogs in Iran? As the Search for the Lost Frogs carries on, we've asked amphibian scientist Dr. Robin Moore to answer your questions about frogs, caecilians, salamanders, newts, and the ongoing search. See the answers »
	Lost Frogs: Colombia This six-day search in Colombia provides a small window on the experiences that challenge and inspire field researchers every day. While some amphibian species may be gone forever, Chocó's largely unexplored forests reveal the many conservation opportunities that still exist. Read more »
	Searching for Lost Frogs In 1975, scientists trekking through the wet forests of Guatemala's Cuchumatanes Mountains found two yellow-and-black salamanders under the bark of a fallen tree. Believing they had discovered a new species, the researchers brought one of the amphibians back to California, where it soon disappeared. Read more »
	Robin Moore & Don Church Talk Frogs Discover two scientists who devote their lives to frogs and the reasons why they were drawn to them. Watch the video »

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Fun Frog Facts see all

Frogs shed their skin, typically about once a week – and usually eat it afterwards
The water-holding frog survives in the dry Australian outback by taking in so much rainwater that it blows up like a balloon
Spadefoot toads smell like peanut butter
In Brazil, the world's only fruit eating frog leaps with its mouth wide open at ripe fruit hanging in trees
A group of frogs is called an 'army' of frogs, and a group of toads is a 'knot' of toads
Toads use their eyeballs to help them swallow their prey

The Search for Lost Frogs

View a Map of the Rediscoveries

10 Most Wanted Amphibians

View the complete list of Lost Frogs

Features & Media

Fun Frog Facts see all

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